First Positive Case of COVID-19 in LDSB
Posted on 10/03/2020
Dear Limestone Families,
I am writing to share with you that KFL&A Public Health has identified the first positive, confirmed case of COVID-19 in the Limestone District School Board.
This news is not unexpected, and I recognize that receiving this information may be stressful. I have chosen to share this will all families across our district to be transparent, and to ensure you understand what happens next in the event a case is later detected at your student’s school. If or when they arise, there will not be a general district-wide letter for future cases.
When a positive confirmed case of COVID-19 is detected, KFL&A Public Health will work with the affected school to identify cohorts of students, staff and others who may have been in close contact with the COVID-19 positive person at school, and/or during school transportation (if applicable). Not all students or staff will be affected by a positive case. A positive case at a school does not mean the individual was exposed to COVID-19 at the school. They may have been exposed somewhere else in the community or outside of the KFL&A region.
In accordance with Ministry of Education guidelines, the board will post the date, school/site location, and number of positive confirmed cases on the board website. A link to confirmed cases is also posted on all school websites. The board will follow the KFL&A Public Health COVID-19 School Protocols and directions of KFL&A Public Health who has the responsibility to manage confirmed cases of COVID-19, including what happens if an outbreak is declared. If KFL&A Public Health advises the board that a class, cohort, or school should be closed for a period of time, families, students and staff will be notified. In the interests of maintaining privacy, the board will not identify the person(s) that has received a positive COVID-19 test.
KFL&A Public Health, the school and board will take all necessary steps to prevent further spread of the virus both in the school and the community.
I urge you to continue to be vigilant. Everyone has a responsibility to complete the daily self-screening of COVID-19 symptoms, follow public health guidelines, and stay home when sick. By working together, we can keep community cases to a minimum, and keep our schools open for the important role they provide to students and families.
Keep well.
Krishna Burra
Director of Education