Second update
On Nov. 6, St. Paul Education stated the case was in fact positive all along, and close contacts were directed to return to isolating.
First update
On Nov. 5, St. Paul Education sent out an updated letter, stating the division learned from Alberta Health Services (AHS) that the individual did not test positive.
"Please accept our apologies for this confusion and know that our decisions are based on the safety and well-being of students, staff and the greater community," reads the letter, signed by superintendent Glen Brodziak. "As you know, to respect the privacy of individuals, we are not in a position to disclose any personal information."
ORIGINAL STORY BELOW
ST. PAUL - St. Paul Education says it has been notified of an individual case of COVID-19 at Glen Avon School in St. Paul. The school serves students from kindergarten to Grade 9.
"Our school division has been notified by an individual from Glen Avon School that a student has tested positive for COVID-19," reads a letter released by the school division on Nov. 3. "We are currently awaiting confirmation of this from Alberta Health Services (AHS)."
If AHS confirms the positive case, there will be a case investigation to determine if the person was in the school while infectious.
"To respect the privacy of this individual, we are not in a position to disclose their personal information," reads the letter, signed by Superintendent Glen Brodziak. However, he did confirm the individual is isolating at home.
Parents and guardians of students who were in the same cohort as the individual had already been contacted, says the letter. If parents or guardians did not hear from St. Paul Education, then their child was not identified as being potentially impacted.
"Although AHS has not yet officially directed students and staff to isolate, out of an abundance of caution, we strongly recommend they self-isolate until we receive further information from Alberta Health Services. We continue to follow the direction of AHS, and we will provide information as soon as we know more," said Brodziak, speaking with LakelandToday.
"I can confirm one entire class, a few other contacts of that class, and any staff directly associated to that class have been recommended to isolate," he added.
Brodziak said the division was still waiting for official confirmation and direction from AHS.
"As for when AHS will confirm, we fully realize that given the recent increase in cases in Alberta, AHS resources are stretched thin. We do not know when we may be contacted by AHS. As a parent if my child was recommended to isolate, I would certainly want to be officially informed by AHS as soon as possible. So I certainly empathize with parents," said the superintendent.
