Holy Trinity Catholic High School is pictured in this file photo.
Update: This story was updated at 6:20 p.m. to include new information on COVID-19 cases linked to Fort McMurray schools.
Alberta Health Services have declared COVID-19 outbreaks at St. Gabriel School and Holy Trinity High School.
In a Sunday morning letter, the Fort McMurray Catholic School Division (FMCSD) said that at least two individuals with a connection to St. Gabriel School in Thickwood have tested positive for COVID-19.
A letter sent Sunday afternoon declared an outbreak at Holy Trinity High School and that there are two active COVID-19 cases connected to the school. A COVID-19 case had been announced on Sept. 19 and 4.
“Alberta Health Services has now determined that the case in relation to Holy Trinity Catholic High School from Sept. 4, though unrelated to the case of Sept. 19, does meet the AHS definition of the term ‘outbreak,’” said a FMCSD letter.
Health officials have allowed the schools to remain open.
“Out of respect to this individual and in accordance with Alberta Health Services guidelines, we cannot disclose personal details of the individual that has tested positive for COVID-19,” each letter states.
People who may have come into contact with COVID-19 patients are being identified through contact tracing. Virtual learning will be available for any students required to quarantine.
People connected to two other Catholic schools in Fort McMurray have also tested positive for the virus.
Parents and guardians at Sister Mary Phillips were told of a COVID-19 case on Sept. 19. Elsie Yanik High School families were told of a case on Sept. 18.
Those schools are also allowed to remain open.
The schools have had additional cleaning this weekend, with a focus on areas where the individuals may have been.
As of Friday, 57 out of Alberta’s 2,415 schools, roughly 2.3 per cent, have reported an infectious case attended school.
On Friday, Alberta reported it’s first case of likely in-school transmission after two individuals at Waverley School in Edmonton tested positive for COVID-19.
Fort McMurray has 48 active cases, 167 recoveries and one death. Wood Buffalo’s rural areas had four active cases, 60 recoveries and no deaths.
The next update on COVID-19 numbers will be Monday at 3:30 p.m.
FMCSD reminds parents, guardians, staff, visitors and volunteers to monitor for COVID-19 symptoms and to complete the AHS checklist every day before school.
If any symptoms are present in students or staff, they are reminded to fill out AHS’s online COVID-19 self-assessment or call Health Link at 881 and stay home.
vmcdermott@postmedia.com
