More COVID cases at St. Francis, Ecole St. Mary schools

120 STAFF, STUDENTS IN ISOLATION

The Holy Spirit Catholic School Division has been informed of additional cases of COVID-19 which is impacting cohorts within Ecole St. Mary Elementary and St. Francis Junior High schools.

Holy Spirit said in a news release it has been reassured these cases are not the result of in-school transmission and are instead associated with cases outside of the school community. Holy Spirit is continuing to work closely with Alberta Health Services (AHS) and Alberta Education to ensure the safety of students and staff.

All close contacts have been informed of the situation and are required to isolate while following the directives provided by AHS. Out of respect for those impacted and in accordance with AHS guidelines, further details about members of the community who may test positive for COVID-19 cannot be disclosed.

As of Thursday, Holy Spirit is reporting nine active cases across three school sites, including St. Teresa of Calcutta, requiring the isolation of 120 staff and students.

The cumulative active cases in Lethbridge fell by one over the past 24 hours. There were 11 new cases and 12 recoveries for 146 active cases.

There have been nine outbreaks listed by AHS over the past couple of weeks in Lethbridge and area including: Edith Cavell Care Centre; Columbia Assisted Living; Extendicare Fairmont Park; Lethbridge Family Services; Children’s House Child Care Society; Lethbridge/Coalhurst Good News Centre; Cavendish Farms; Meridian Manufacturing; and ROC Christian Ministries in Coaldale.