An individual has tested positive for COVID-19 at École Holy Mary Catholic School in Martensville.
It is one of four schools in the Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools (GSCS) school division to confirm the presence of the novel coronavirus.
In a statement released November 18 by the GSCS, school division officials said they were informed of the confirmed cases by the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) by on the evening of November 17,
In addition to École Holy Mary Catholic School in Martensville, individuals have tested positive at Bishop Filevich Ukrainian Bilingual School, École Cardinal Leger School, and Bishop Roborecki School in Saskatoon.
“We are working with Public Health to notify parents and caregivers,” stated GSCS officials. “Risk of exposure for anyone not considered a close contact remains low.”
The affected classrooms at Holy Mary, Bishop Filevich and Cardinal Leger will switch to online instruction starting November 18.
To protect privacy of individuals, the school division is not able to share or discuss details.
“We hope all who are ill or affected by COVID-19 in any way are doing well,” stated GSCS officials. “As a community of faith, we continue to support each other and pray for all members of our school communities who are ill.”
The GSCS said with the increased number of positive COVID-19 cases in Saskatchewan; and in particular in Saskatoon; it is becoming increasingly important that everyone follow health measures to decrease both the spread of COVID-19 in our communities and the risk of it entering schools.
Students and families are reminded to be diligent in performing the daily health screening, stay home if you are ill, call HealthLine 811 if you are exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms, practice proper hand hygiene, maintain physical distancing as much as possible, wear a mask when appropriate, and do all we can to keep each other safe.
Information on the Government of Saskatchewan’s Safe School Plan can be found at https://www.saskatchewan.ca/government/health-care-administration-and-provider-resources/treatment-procedures-and-guidelines/emerging-public-health-issues/2019-novel-coronavirus/safe-schools-plan
A parent package of information from the Government of Saskatchewan can be downloaded at https://www.saskatchewan.ca/-/media/files/coronavirus/education/safe-schools-plan-parent-package.pdf