December 22nd, 2021

Region of Waterloo Public Health has determined that a student, last in the Southwood Secondary School building on December 15, is a confirmed positive case of COVID-19. The identity of the individual is protected by privacy legislation and will not be shared.

Public Health has identified all close contacts of the confirmed case and will provide individual guidance to them. Close contacts include some staff members who have all been notified and directed to self-isolate.

If you are not contacted by Region of Waterloo Public Health, you are not considered a close contact. Public Health works with the school to identify student and staff close contacts of the confirmed case to prevent further spread of COVID-19 in students, staff and the community.

Public Health is treating every single case of COVID-19 as a potential variant of concern before a variant is identified. As a result, our public communication will indicate only that a positive case has been identified. For all cases of COVID-19, Public Health is conducting enhanced case and contact management.

STAFF RESOURCES

Please continue to self-screen (using the COVID-19 School Screening Tool) and monitor your health daily, practice hand hygiene, respiratory etiquette and other infection control and prevention measures. If you experience symptoms consistent with COVID-19, access the COVID-19 Self-Assessment on the Public Health website and follow the direction given. Please visit the COVID-19 Health, Safety and Wellness Handbook for WRDSB Staff for guidance, wellness resources and information.

COMMUNITY RESOURCES

Please continue to monitor and screen your child for symptoms of COVID-19 daily and visit our COVID-19 webpage for more information about what this means for students. In accordance with guidance from the Ministry of Education, the Confirmed Cases of COVID-19 page will be updated on an ongoing basis with information regarding confirmed cases of COVID-19 involving a student or staff member in a school setting. For all cases of COVID-19, Public Health is conducting enhanced case and contact management. For more information about COVID-19, please visit the Region of Waterloo Public Health website.

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