THUNDER BAY - Three more cohorts at St. Martin’s Elementary School were sent home early Wednesday afternoon after three more individuals in the school have tested positive for COVID-19.
Dr. Janet DeMille, medical officer of Health with the Thunder Bay District Health Unit, provided an update on the situation at the school after an individual tested positive for COVID-19 earlier this week.
“At this time, three additional individuals associated with the school have been identified as having COVID-19 and as a result three additional cohorts were impacted,” DeMille said in a letter to the school community posted late Wednesday.
“Note that in all these cases, the virus was acquired outside of the school setting. At this time, there is no evidence that the virus has spread within the school setting. This would not be considered an outbreak.”
DeMille said parents or guardians of students in the identified classes or cohorts will be contacted by a public health nurse and instructed what to do.
"Similarly, public health nurses will also be contacting directly any teachers, staff, visitors or any others who are impacted,” DeMille said.
“Everyone else in the school setting who is not deemed a close contact and therefore not specifically contacted by public health, would not be considered at elevated risk and does not require testing because of this situation at this time.”
The health unit will continue to monitor the situation and assess any evidence of spread in the school setting and take all necessary measures.
DeMille said updates will be provided in the coming days by both the health unit and the Thunder Bay District Catholic School Board.
