Monck Public School declares covid outbreak

Earlier today Monck Public School sent out a letter to parents informing them that a Covid outbreak has been formally declared at the Bracebridge elementary school.

“The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit (SMDHU) let us know that there is an outbreak of COVID-19 at our school,” reads the letter from Ken Waddell, the principal at Monck. “If you did not receive a letter from the health unit, your child has not been identified as a close contact.”

An outbreak is defined as two or more lab-confirmed COVID-19 cases in students and/or staff (or other visitors) with an epidemiological link (i.e. shared space or objects with each other), within a 14-day period, where at least one case could have got COVID-19 in the school (including transportation and before/after school care).

“We know this information may be upsetting,” says Waddell. “We are working closely with Trillium Lakelands District School Board and the health unit. Together, we are taking necessary steps to prevent the further spread of COVID-19 within our school community. Due to privacy laws, the health unit will not release personal information about any staff or student who is ill unless deemed necessary.”

Waddell says whenever there is an identified COVID-19 case at a school, there is additional cleaning and sanitizing of the school above and beyond the extensive cleaning and sanitizing that occurs throughout each school day.

“We will ensure that the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems will run continuously for the next 36 to 48 hours,” he says. “The safety of our students and staff is most important and we continue to follow all public health protocols.”