APH issues advisories about schools (update)

Algoma Public Health (APH) has confirmed that an individual associated with Tarentorus Public School has tested positive for COVID-19.

It also is advising parents that there has been an individual associated with Holy Cross Catholic School who has tested positive for COVID.

Partial text of a letter sent out follows:

We recognize that receiving this information may be stressful.To help you understand what actions are being taken and what to expect please review the important information below.

At this time, APH is conducting a careful investigation to identify close contacts. Examples of close contacts include household members, people who have been in direct physical contact or belong to the same classroom/cohort, and people who have spent more than 15 minutes together within 2 metres or 6 feet of each other, such as while sharing a meal.

Brief interactions, like walking past someone in a hallway are not generally considered close contact situations. APH will notify all low risk and high risk contacts via letter to provide further guidance and direction. Due to the number of possible contacts and exposures, direction/instruction may take a couple of days.

Please be reassured that if you do not receive a low risk and/or high risk contact letter, you are not considered a close contact of the person who tested positive for COVID-19, in which case we do not recommend testing unless you are showing symptoms of COVID-19. We are working with the school community to review and confirm important practices to reduce the potential spread of COVID-19.