UPDATE: Four COVID-19 cases confirmed at Holy Family CES in Bowmanville
Updated Nov. 30, 2020
A fourth COVID-19 case has been confirmed at Holy Family Catholic Elementary School in Bowmanville.
This case is not linked to the earlier three cases (see message below).
As directed by Durham Region Health Department, all individuals who have tested positive are to remain home to self isolate and they will return to school when they have recovered.
We appreciate that news of another confirmed case may be concerning for our students, staff and parents, however, Durham Region Health Department has not identified any high-risk contacts in the school community connected to these cases.
Nov. 30, 2020
The following letter was sent to the Holy Family Catholic Elementary School community in Bowmanville, informing students, families and staff that individuals at the school have received a positive test result for COVID-19.
Dear parents and guardians,
As always, the well-being of our students and staff is our top priority. With that in mind, we are letting you know that we have been informed of three confirmed cases of COVID-19 in our school community.
The Durham Region Health Department has investigated and determined that the students involved were not at school while they were infectious and were not a risk to any students or staff. The individuals who are ill are at home isolating and will return to school when they have recovered.
Please continue to self screen daily before entering school using the provincial screening tool: https://covid-19.ontario.ca/school-screening/
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 remember to inform us if your child will be absent from school.
We appreciate that this news may be concerning for our students, staff and parents. 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,
Marie-Claude Caron-Charette
Principal