A positive case of COVID in a student St. Gabriel Catholic Elementary School in Hespeler has prompted the school to dismiss the entire cohort of students and staff who had exposure, regardless of their vaccination status.
The term cohort includes students and staff in the same class, students involved in group activities or who have been in shared spaces during school, students that ride the same bus, attend before/after school care, or participate in extracurricular programming together.
News of the positive case was posted Thursday on the school's website.
Staff at the school say they are working with Region of Waterloo Public Health to prevent further spread of COVID-19 in students, staff and the community and all affected have been notified.
Students who have been identified as high-risk contacts of a confirmed case have been sent communication by the school from Public Health with specific information on dates of exposure, testing information, and the cohort end of isolation date.
High risk contacts will be followed up via text and phone, to provide specific directions related to the need for the student to self-isolate and self-monitor, as well as provide testing information and return to school guidance.
The school asks parents not contact the school to inquire as to who the student/staff may be since they unable to disclose that information.
If additional cohorts must self-isolate or the school must close, parents will be notified.
