COVID-19 outbreak declared at Tarentorus Public School

Algoma Public Health issued the following COVID statement to parents and staff with regards to Tarentorus Public School:

This letter is to inform you that Algoma Public Health (APH) has declared an outbreak of COVID-19 at  Tarentorus Public School.  

All high risk close contacts have already been identified and provided instructions regarding COVID-19  testing and self-isolation requirements.  

If you have not received a letter for a direct exposure you do not need to have your child tested unless  they are showing symptoms associated with COVID-19.  

APH recommends that all students/staff who attend a school that is currently in an outbreak situation to  closely self-monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 and, if symptoms develop, isolate immediately and visit  a COVID-19 assessment centre.  

An outbreak is declared in a school when at least two individuals tested positive for COVID-19 and:  

1. At least one case could have reasonably acquired their infection in the school setting; and 2. There are characteristics that link the two cases (e.g., a child or staff could have become infected with COVID-19 at the school, either from each other or a common source), within a 14 day period. 

APH staff is currently assessing the situation and working with the school to review, confirm, and  strengthen, if needed, the following public health measures: 

∙ COVID-19 vaccination policies are in place 

∙ Screening practices in place for children and staff 

∙ Staying home when sick and excluding symptomatic individuals 

∙ Cleaning and disinfecting high touch surfaces 

∙ Using personal protective equipment when appropriate (e.g., masking, eye protection) ∙ Ensuring access to hand hygiene supplies 

∙ Posting signage of appropriate public health measures(e.g., hand hygiene, coughing and sneezing etiquette) 

∙ Maintaining and encouraging physical distancing and cohorting. 

APH will continue to monitor the situation and outbreak measures may be scaled up or down in  response to the risk of transmission in the school.