ST. PAUL - While the reported number of presumptive and confirmed cases of COVID-19 continues to change on a daily basis across Alberta, the effects of the virus are being noted on a local level.
Students from Ashmont, Myrnam and Two Hills will likely not heading to France and Spain over spring break, due to a recommendation by St. Paul Education Regional Division’s insurance provider.
“The board will be considering a recommendation by SPERD administration to cancel an international trip to France and Spain that Ashmont, Myrnam, and Two Hills students have planned for Spring Break due to concerns related to COVID-19,” confirmed SPERD board chair Heather Starosielski. The board will make a decision at its regular monthly meeting on March 11.
“The division's insurance provider has recommended that boards cancel all out of country travel. While neither country has been placed on a travel advisory due to COVID-19, there are concerns that students could come into contact with people who had been exposed, or where they could potentially end up in a quarantine situation,” explained Starosielski.
She added the school division is closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation. The division also has trust in the Chief Medical Officer of Health saying the risk to Albertans of catching the novel coronavirus is very low.
“The division has still taken some preliminary steps to our cleaning practices in an effort to prevent the spread of illness. This is a proactive approach,” said Starosielski. “Custodial staff will be implementing protocols for ‘high touch items’ to be cleaned on a daily basis . . . In addition, we are also increasing the number of hand sanitizer units across our division.”
The division will also be encouraging good hand washing practices and encouraging parents to keep sick children at home.
“In the event there are local cases of COVID-19, the school division will be working closely with Alberta Health Services and complying with any directives and/or recommendations that are given by the health authority,” said the board chair.
When asked for comment on the situation, Bonnyville-Cold Lake-St. Paul MLA Dave Hanson said, “Our minister has been in close contact with the Provincial Operations Centre. We are assured they are prepared.”
He noted that the virus is “definitely a concern for all levels of government. We have already seen the effects on the global economy, and more importantly, the effects on communities and families in quarantine.”
According to Monday afternoon’s update from the province, Alberta had seven confirmed cases of COVID-19. Individuals were all recovering in isolation at home with support from public health officials.
These cases were detected thanks to the aggressive public health measures and expanded testing that we have put in place. By acting quickly to isolate close contacts of COVID-19 cases, we help prevent the virus’s spread and protect Albertans. While additional cases will likely be detected in the coming days, Albertans can trust that we are doing everything we can to protect their health,” said Dr. Deena Hinshaw, Chief Medical Officer of Health, in the media release.
The most recent cases reside in the Edmonton and Calgary zones. All three new cases announced on Monday had recently travelled outside the country. Alberta continues to ask all returning travellers from outside Canada to monitor their health and, if they experience symptoms of fever or cough, to immediately self-isolate and call Health Link 811, according to the provincial update.
“The most important measure that Albertans can take to prevent COVID-19 is to practise good hygiene,” reads the media release.
