The Renfrew County and District Health Unit has released more details about the 3rd COVID-19 case confirmed in a staff member at Fellowes High School in Pembroke.
The school was closed this afternoon and an outbreak has been declared.
The RCDHU says the most recently identified case has worked in three additional classrooms.
The health unit says they will do aggressive follow-up and timely testing of individuals considered at risk and the RCDHU continues to work with Fellowes High School on this evolving situation.
The RCDHU will provide daily updates on the situation.
In the meantime, all students and staff at Fellowes High School are asked to self-monitor for symptoms.
Further direction will be given to those who have been identified as a contact to a case.
Acting Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Robert Cushman, says the harsh lesson learned from this outbreak is that we need to remind ourselves how each and every one of us should conduct ourselves in the time of COVID-19.
Dr. Cushman advises residents to limit social activities and keep your bubble small as we have seen all too well, what gyms, barbeques, bars, and parties can do. In Ottawa, one individual who was sick resulted in 40 individuals testing positive for COVID-19.
The health unit says we need to constantly practice handwashing, physical distancing, masking, and use the COVID Alert App.
Be sure to:
- Clean your hands frequently with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, then clean your hands.
- If you don’t have a tissue, sneeze or cough into your sleeve and then clean your hands.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth, unless you have just cleaned your hands.
- If you are ill, stay home.
- Avoid contact with people who are sick.
- Get your flu shot.
Dr. Cushman says we all have COVID-19 fatigue, but this is a marathon and we are in a key phase with new challenges. Dr. Cushman says if we want schools to stay open and the economy to progress, we must recognize that individual vigilance and strict observance of public health measures are imperative. He adds this is not the time to let down our guard but rather just the opposite.
