Notification of positive Covid-19 case in our school community
April 1, 2021
Hello St. Patrick Families,
This is Dale Petruka, Principal of St. Patrick School. I’m reaching out with an important message. This afternoon, the Brant County Health Unit confirmed a case of COVID-19 in our school community.
Understandably, for privacy reasons, the identity of this individual will not be disclosed. This individual has been directed by the health unit to self-isolate. Upon receiving this news, we immediately contacted the students and staff initially identified by public health as close contacts to this COVID-19 case. This individual’s cohort has been directed by the health unit to self-isolate.
Over the next 24 to 48 hours, the Brant County Health Unit will be in direct contact with these individuals viaemail as they work through their contact tracing. The health unit will provide further direction and next steps to these individuals.
If the Health Unit identifies that a case has screened positive for a variant of concern (VOC) we will post that information, when it is shared with us, on our COVID-19 Reporting by Location webpage (http://www.bhncdsb.ca/page/covid-19-reporting-location). Please note that VOC screening results take 3-4 days after the positive test result is received. Further information about variants of concern can be found at www.bchu.org.
If your family was not contacted by our staff today, you have not been identified as a close contact at this time. The Ministry of Health mandates public health units to be in contact with known close contacts within 24-48 hours of being made aware of them. The local public health unit may not be aware of all contacts at the time you receive this communication, as they require time to conduct the investigation with cases.
If further students or staff are impacted, the Brant County Health Unit will let us know as soon as possible.
Moving forward, all St. Patrick students and staff are asked to monitor their health. If symptoms consistent with COVID-19 develop, or you feel that you may have been exposed to COVID-19, please contact your primary health care provider as you may need to be tested.
Our school remains open to all individuals, not asked by Public Health to self-isolate. Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board custodians continue to complete their disinfecting of our school throughout the day and each evening.
Staff will work with students and families to ensure learning continues for those who are self-isolating. The individual who tested positive, as well as all close contacts as determined by Public Health, must complete their isolation period and be able to pass the COVID-19 Self-Assessment Tool before returning to school.
If you have any questions, please visit the Brant County Health Unit Website COVID-19 information page or you can reach out to us at the school.
Thank you.
