Individual connected to YMCA childcare program tests positive for COVID-19

'APH reassures families from the YMCA Before and After program and childcare centre that if they do not receive a low risk and/or high risk contact letter, their child is not considered a close contact,' states a release from the YMCA

Sault Ste. Marie YMCA file photo. Darren Taylor/SooToday

An individual associated with the local YMCA Before and After School Program has tested positive for COVID-19, a news release issued today states.

Algoma Public health (APH) is working with YMCA staff to identify and contact close contacts.

"APH reassures families from the YMCA Before and After program and childcare centre that if they do not receive a low risk and/or high risk contact letter, their child is not considered a close contact of the person who tested positive for COVID-19, in which case APH does not recommend having their child tested unless they are showing symptoms of COVID-19," the release reads.

Full text of the news release follows:

Algoma Public Health (APH) is advising that an individual associated with the YMCA Before and After School Program (McNabb Site) has tested positive for COVID-19.

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 two metres or six 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.

APH reassures families from the YMCA Before and After program and childcare centre that if they do not receive a low risk and/or high risk contact letter, their child is not considered a close contact of the person who tested positive for COVID-19, in which case APH does not recommend having their child tested unless they are showing symptoms of COVID-19.

Algoma Public Health is working with the Sault Ste. Marie YMCA Before and After Program and childcare centre to review and confirm important practices to reduce the potential spread of COVID-19.

For more information about COVID-19 please contact APH or visit their website.

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