School outbreak declared at L.A. Desmarais

Students from single class asked to self-isolate after two people test positive

The Windsor- Essex County Health Unit has declared another school outbreak.

At least two people in a single classroom at L.A. Desmarais Catholic Elementary School have tested positive for COVID-19.

While all students in the region were ordered to study remotely from home starting Monday, the entire L. A. Desmarais class was previously dismissed, asked to isolate for 14 days, and directed to get tested, the WECHU said in a news release on Wednesday. The outbreak is limited to a single cohort.

“It is essential for the students to self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms every day. If you have any symptoms, go get tested,” said Medical Officer of Health Dr. Wajid Ahmed.

All members of the involved class cohort are being considered highrisk for exposure to COVID-19. The health unit is working with Windsor Essex Catholic School Board administrators to manage the outbreak.

The school has already sent parents and guardians a notice about the outbreak, including additional public health guidance.

“We will continue to work with public health to keep the L.A. Desmarais Catholic Elementary School community informed about the outbreak and implement all necessary additional health and safety measures to clean and disinfect the school,” said Terry Lyons, director of education with WECDSB.

All other students and staff at L.A. Desmarais are deemed low-risk and are advised to monitor themselves for symptoms of COVID-19 and contact their health-care provider and an assessment centre if they develop symptoms.

Starting Monday, all elementary and high school students in the region have switched to remote learning and are not attending school in person, in compliance with an order from Ahmed.

Under provincial direction, the WECHU declares a COVID-19 outbreak when there are two or more cases in a school and there is evidence at least one person was infected in the school.

The health unit recommends all residents in Windsor and Essex County follow several public health measures, including maintaining a two-metre physical distance from others, washing your hands thoroughly and often with soap and water, not touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands, and wearing a mask in public settings.

Also, stay home and do not go to work or school if you are sick, and cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or the inside of your elbow when you cough or sneeze.

For privacy reasons, the WECHU will not publicly disclose any more details about the cases or the number of close contacts involved in the school outbreak.

Parents and guardians or staff with questions should contact the WECHU'S Healthy Schools department at 519-258-2146, ext. 1555.

L. A. Desmarais is the fifth school in Windsor and Essex County to experience an outbreak of COVID-19.