(EDIT: A previous version of this article said Holy Trinity High School was on the COVID-19 watch list. Alberta Health Services added the school to the list in error. The threshold for the watch list is five cases, when Holy Trinity has four cases as of publication.)
The Fort McMurray Catholic School Division recorded a fourth positive case of the illness linked to the school on Sept. 28.
Alberta Health Services notified the FMCSD the four cases are not the result of in-school transmission.
In a statement, Principal Lisa Hilsenteger said the school will remain open and already reached out to affected families.
“Parents and guardians of students who AHS deem to be close contacts, and are required to self isolate, will receive a call from Alberta Health Services shortly [24 to 48 hours] with additional information. Virtual learning for those affected will be available for the continuation of student learning. Students will be contacted by their teacher for further information.”
Families may monitor for signs and symptoms of COVID-19 using the province’s health questionnaire.
AHS first notified the FMCSD of an outbreak of COVID-19 at Holy Trinity on Sept. 20.
“The Alberta Government defines an outbreak as [the following]: If there are TWO OR MORE confirmed cases in your school setting (staff/child) within a 14-day period (one incubation period) or two or more confirmed cases (staff/child) that are epidemiologically linked.”
St Gabriel, Elsie Yanik, and Sister Mary Phillips School previously reported outbreaks of COVID-19.
If a child or family member experiences symptoms of the illness, they can fill out a health assessment or contact Health Link at 811.
Hilsenteger added the health and safety of staff, students and the community is paramount.
She said custodial staff will conduct enhanced cleaning in additional to daily physical distancing and health protocols.
“We continue our focus on preventing the spread of COVID-19. We know this news can be distressing for families and supports are available. Please be assured we will continue to work closely with Alberta Health Services to ensure we follow their ongoing recommendations.”
A school status map for all schools in Alberta is available on the province’s website.
47 Alberta schools reported outbreaks of COVID-19, including six on the province’s watch list.
COVID-19 response
Alberta reported four new cases and 10 recoveries of COVID-19 in the RMWB.
All new cases and nine recoveries occurred in Fort McMurray, which has 48 active cases, one death, and 214 recovered cases of the illness.
Outside the urban service area, there are still four active cases and 63 recoveries of COVID-19.
The RMWB remains under a watch with an active case rate of 62.7 per 100,000 people.
New cases by region:
Edmonton zone: +84
Calgary zone: +64
Central: +3
South: 0
North: +14 #yeg #yyc #ableg #covid19ab pic.twitter.com/wypGdNiyR3— Courtney Theriault (@cspotweet) September 29, 2020
In the last 24 hours, Alberta has 160 new cases, 137 resolved cases, and one additional death linked to COVID-19.
Health officials conducted 16,187 tests with a positivity rate above one per cent for a total of 1,336,742 tests.
The province has 1571 active cases, 266 deaths, and 16072 recoveries of COVID-19.
63 Albertans are in hospital with 13 in intensive care.
Dr Deena Hinshaw, chief medical officer of health, will provide a live update on Oct. 1, 2020.
