Upper Canada District School Board reports first case of COVID-19

Chimo Elementary School in Smiths Falls is dealing with the first case of COVID-19 in all of the Upper Canada District School Board (UCDSB).

Administrators were contacted by the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit, Thursday, September 24, informing them that a person at the school had tested positive for the virus.  
 
The UCDSB says students and staff that had come in close contact with this person were isolated upon their arrival Thursday morning, as a precautionary measure.  

“We were able to quickly work with the school and identify anyone who was a close contact to the person, and therefore, high risk,” confirmed Dr. Paula Stewart, Chief Medical Officer of Health with the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit. “This is a good reminder to continue to take precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our community.”
 
Staff and families have received notification about the level of risk, as well as guidance as far as next steps to take.  
 
“This is the first positive case of COVID-19 for our school board and Chimo was able to provide all the necessary information public health needed to do their contact tracing,” said Dave Coombs, School Superintendent. “Chimo staff take every precaution to ensure the safety of our students, and our students are very good at following the heightened health and hygiene practices that have been put in place. The safety of our students and staff remains a priority for us.”

Public health has indicated that there is no need to make any changes to the school schedule or routines, so the school will be open Friday and all classes will run as planned. 
Parents and staff are encouraged to continue with daily health screening using the provincial screening tool and to practice good hand hygiene.