The Haldimand Norfolk Health Unit has declared a Covid-19 outbreak at McKinnon Park Secondary School in Caledonia, Ont.
Two positive cases have been reported in the past 14 days. As outlined in the Ministry of Education’s Operational Guidance, an outbreak is defined as two or more lab-confirmed Covid-19 cases in students and/or staff in a school with an epidemiological link, within a 14-day period, where at least one case could have reasonably acquired their infection in the school.
The initial positive case was identified on October 10, and a subsequent positive case was identified on Oct. 15.
The epidemiological link was discovered Monday.
For privacy reasons, the identity of the Covid-19 cases will not be disclosed, the Grand Erie District School Board (GEDSB) said in a press release.
The Haldimand Norfolk Health Unit has provided further direction and next steps via email to these individuals, including confirmation of their isolation period and instructions for household members. If additional McKinnon Park students or staff are impacted, the Haldimand Norfolk Health Unit will advise as soon as possible.
The GEDSB has provided the health unit with class lists, transportation records and childcare information to support case management and contact tracing.
McKinnon Park Secondary School remains open for those students and staff not required to self-isolate.
School custodians continue to complete their disinfecting of the school each night.
The school’s outbreak will be closely monitored and reported on by the Haldimand Norfolk Health Unit.
The Grand Erie District School Board represents more than 25,000 students in 58 elementary schools and 14 secondary schools within the City of Brantford and the counties of Brant, Haldimand, and Norfolk as well as secondary students from Six Nations of the Grand River and Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation.
Meanwhile on Six Nations, there are currently 14 active cases of Covid-19 in the community, with 73 people in isolation awaiting test results. Three community members are currently hospitalized while they battle the virus. There have been 689 positive cases in the community to date and 13 deaths due to Covid-19.
