St. Louis Public School will be moving to remote learning after consultation with public health officials regarding increased exposure to COVID-19 in the community.
According to the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA), the increased exposure is due to a number of cases linked to events in the community spreading to other household members and close contacts.
“There is an increased risk of exposure to COVID-19 for anyone who may have attended any outdoor recreational events, suppers, poker rallies, or poker card parties outside their family bubble since Christmas,” SHA said in a press release.
The SHA said anyone who went to these events should immediately self-isolate and call HealthLine 811, their physician or nurse to arrange for testing. They added that it’s possible for people to develop symptoms from two to 14 days after being exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19.
The SHA also provided the following advice:
- – if you were advised by someone from the above events that they are COVID-19 positive AND you were in contact with them for more than 15 minutes, within 6 feet, isolate immediately, and call HealthLine811, your physician or nurse practitioner for testing
- -Even if you do not experience symptoms, but have had any interaction with the above events, please consider testing, as asymptomatic cases can cause further spread in the community
St. Louis Public School will be entering Level 4 of the Saskatchewan Safe Schools plan starting on Feb. 4 to Feb. 12. All students in pre-kindergarten to Grade 12 will participate in remote learning. With February break still in place, students will return to in-person classes on Monday, Feb. 22.
The school board said in a separate press release that public health officials believe the recent cases affecting the school were not acquired or transmitted in school.
“This move to Level 4 is an intervention in response to Public Health recommendations based on the increased rates of community transmission of COVID-19,” a press release from the school board said.
Further details about remote learning and instructions for students and families will be provided as needed.
