A positive case of COVID-19 has been confirmed at Kemptville’s Holy Cross Catholic School.
The Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit sent out a letter via email on Sunday, Sept. 20 to inform parents and guardians of the positive case.
The letter was submitted anonymously to this newspaper.
Although it did not specify whether it is a student or staff member at the elementary school that tested positive for COVID-19, the health unit assures that it is “closely monitoring the situation and is in contact with, and has isolated, all students and staff who have had a high risk exposure contact.”
A high risk exposure contact is defined in the letter as a situation where a person has been in the same area as the positive individual, and was within 2 meters/6 feet for a period of time.
As the letter continues, it indicates to parents/guardians whether their child is considered to have had a high risk contact with the COVID-19 positive individual or not, and if they can continue to go to school.
At this point, Holy Cross will not be closed as a result of the positive case.
The health unit encourages parents/guardians to continue to use the COVID-19 School Screening Tool prior to each school day, as well as regular public health recommendations to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
The letter directs individuals who were in the school on Sept. 14, Sept. 15 or Sept. 16 to monitor for symptoms carefully; testing for COVID-19 is not recommended, unless you are experiencing symptoms.
If symptoms develop, immediately self-isolate, contact the health unit at 1-866-236-0123 and get tested at a local assessment centre. An assessment centre will soon be established in Kemptville.