COVID-19 case confirmed at St. Joseph CES in Bowmanville
Dec. 14, 2020,
The following letter was sent to the St. Joseph Catholic Elementary School community in Bowmanville, informing students, families and staff that an individual at the school has received a positive test result for COVID-19.
Dear parents, guardians, and staff,
We have been informed of a confirmed case of COVID-19 at St. Joseph Catholic Elementary School.
As directed by Durham Region Health Department, we have dismissed the individuals who were known to have been in close-contact with the person who is ill during their infectious period. Those identified as close contacts will be contacted by the Durham Region Health Department and be provided further guidance. The individual who is ill is at home isolating and will return to school when they have recovered.
The school will remain open. Staff and students who are NOT directly advised to stay home are deemed low risk and should continue to attend school and self-monitor for signs and symptoms of COVID-19 at the current time.
Common COVID-19 symptoms include fever (temperature of 37.8 degrees Celsius or greater), new or worsening cough and shortness of breath. Other symptoms of COVID-19 can include sore throat, difficulty swallowing, changes to sense of taste and/or smell, nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and runny nose, or nasal congestion (not caused by seasonal allergies). For more information about COVID-19, please visit www.durham.ca/novelcoronavirus
If staff or students develop one or more symptoms, immediately self-isolate, follow up with your healthcare provider and/or call Durham Health Connection Line (DHCL) at 1-800-841-2729 and seek testing.
As always, please continue to complete the daily self assessment available at: https://covid-19.ontario.ca/school-screening/ and remember to inform us if your child will be absent from school.
We will continue to follow all health precautions at the school, including thorough cleaning and disinfecting of all areas; frequent and proper handwashing by everyone in the building; wearing masks; maintaining physical distancing to the fullest extent possible, and following any other steps directed by the health unit.
We will continue to let families know about any further developments. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the school.
Sincerely,
Nancy Guillemette
Principal