Today, Renfrew County and District Health Unit (RCDHU) in collaboration with the Renfrew County District School Board (RCDSB), is confirming that a student at Opeongo High School has a positive laboratory-confirmed case of novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19). RCDHU has directed a class of students and a number of staff to go home immediately and self-isolate. The school remains open to in-person learning and will be open on Monday morning to receive students and staff.
RCDHU is working closely with the RCDSB to ensure necessary measures continue to be in place to protect all staff, students and the public. RCDHU staff is actively investigating the case and following up with immediate contacts to prevent further spread of COVID-19. All high risk contacts will be contacted by RCDHU for further instructions. A high risk contact is a person who has:
- Had close physical contact (less than 2 metres) with an individual who has tested positive for COVID-19;
- Been in the same room, workspace, area and/or living in the same household with an individual who has tested positive for COVID-19;
- Been in the same room, workspace, area and/or living in the same household with an individual who has tested positive for COVID-19;
- Had direct contact with bodily fluids of an individual who has tested positive for COVID-19.
If you are a high risk contact:
- You MUST self-isolate and self-monitor for symptoms for 14 days. Do NOT return to work, school or child care, in-person;
- Call the Renfrew County Virtual Triage Assessment Centre (RC VTAC) at 1-844-727-6404 to book an appointment for testing;
- If test result is negative, continue 14-day isolation because of exposure and because COVID-19 could have been developing (incubating) at time of test;
- If test result is positive, continue to self-isolate and you will be contacted by RCDHU.
The importance of adhering to public health measures is critical. Everyone must do their part to stay home if they are sick, avoid contact with people who are ill, limit their social activities, practice physical distancing (2 metres), wear a mask/face covering when physical distancing cannot be maintained, wash their hands, use the COVID Alert App, and complete the COVID-19 self-assessment tool or COVID-19 school and child care self-assessment tool daily before going to work, school or daycare, to monitor for symptoms and proper guidance.
For more information, visit RCDHU’s website at https://www.rcdhu.com/novel-coronavirus-covid-19-2/ or call 613-732-3629 or 1-800-267-1097.
Halko,M. RCDHU(2020,Oct.23) RCDHU Confirms a Student at Opeongo High School Tests Positive For COVID-19 [media release]
