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RMWB makes adjustments in its COVID-19 response

Last Updated Sep 9, 2020 at 12:36 am MDT

Looking toward downtown Fort McMurray from lower Thickwood. Archived photo taken by Jenna Hamilton.

On Sept. 6, the Fort McMurray Catholic School Division reported one positive case of the illness tied to Holy Trinity Catholic School.

In a release, the FMCSD said they learned of the positive case over the weekend.

“A positive case of COVID-19, not related to the classroom, has been diagnosed in an individual at Holy Trinity Catholic High School. Our school remains open to in-person learning for all students, and we are working closely with AHS to ensure necessary measures continue to be in place to protect all staff and students. Safety, as always, is our first priority.”

According to the Alberta Health Services guidelines, FMCSD also said it will not disclose the individual’s personal details.

Principal Lisa Hilsenteger and FMCSD Superintendent George McGuigan said additional cleaning at the school took place.

“Out of an abundance of caution, as we continue our focus on preventing the spread of COVID-19, additional cleaning occurred at Holy Trinity Catholic High School this weekend. The disinfecting focused on areas where the individual had been present. This is in addition to our ongoing daily cleaning as part of our operating procedures.”

They called it an isolated incident, and said the FMCSD addressed the situation in time for the resumption of classes on Sept. 8, 2020.

Alberta Health Services (AHS) conducted tracing for all the individual’s close contacts.

Syncrude

Syncrude announced it will postpone its staggered re-entry plan for workers at its Mildred Lake and Aurora sites.

Spokesperson Will Gibson said a total of 23 workers tied to the company tested positive for COVID-19.

To date, 19 are active cases while four recovered from the illness.

“Not all of those cases have been on a worksite during the past week, which is when we identified them. Our thoughts are with the workers and their families as they deal with this illness. All workers are self-isolating and following the direction of [Alberta Health Services].”

Gibson also said, starting Sept. 8, Syncrude reduced staff at Mildred Lake and Aurora to site critical roles.

All remaining staff will work remotely.

He said Syncrude believes the workers contracted the virus within the community.

Alberta reported one death from COVID-19 in Fort McMurray’s urban service area in the last 96 hours.

RELATED: Alberta records first death from COVID-19 in Fort McMurray

As of Sept. 8, there are 66 active cases and 100 recovered cases of the illness within the urban service area.