Late last week, new direction was provided by Alberta Health Services and Alberta Education regarding the communication processes surrounding COVID-19 contact notification.
For All Grades
Starting this week, should AHS notify the division that there is a confirmed case of COVID-19, where the individual attended school while infectious:
- Specific communication will be sent to those who are considered a close contact of the confirmed case (e.g. class cohort, riding the same bus, in the same extracurricular activity, etc...).
- General communication will be sent to the school community to apprise them of the current number of active cases, along with any other relevant community-based information.
Exclusion Notifications
In keeping with CMOH Order 48-2021, during any 5-day period where 3 or more members of a class cohort are confirmed COVID-19 cases, unvaccinated members of the class cohort will be moved to at-home learning for a 10-day period.
For Early Learning Program (ELP) Cohorts
Given the hands-on, experiential nature of these programs, should there be 3 or more members of an ELP class cohort during any 5-day period who are confirmed COVID-19 cases, classes will be cancelled for a 10-day period. This 10-day period will begin on the last date that the individual who tested positive for COVID-19 attended and was infectious.
For Kindergarten to Grade 6 Class Cohorts
When 3 or more individuals are identified in a 5-day period, the class will be moved to at-home learning for a 10-day period. This 10-day period will begin on the last date that the individual who tested positive for COVID-19 attended and was infectious.
Should a class cohort move to at-home learning because they fall under a period of exclusion, instruction will be delivered via Google Classrooms. Schools and teachers will provide specific instructions regarding access to at-home learning during the period of exclusion.
For Grade 7-12 Class Cohorts
At this time, exclusions do NOT apply to Grade 7-12 class cohorts.
For Bus Route Cohorts
At this time, exclusions do NOT apply to bus route cohorts.
Additional Reporting
Alberta Health continues to post schools with two or more COVID-19 cases on the COVID-19 School Status List:
COVID-19 school status | Alberta.ca
Holy Spirit has also committed to monitoring and reporting the number of active COVID-19 cases in the division. This information will be updated daily here: https://www.holyspirit.ab.ca/division/in_response_to_covid19/active_case_summary
Should you have any questions regarding these updated plans for notifying about potential COVID-19 contacts, please contact your school principal directly.