The Renfrew County and District Health Unit (RCDHU) in conjunction with the Township of Madawaska Valley and the Township of Brudenell, Lyndoch, Raglan are declaring a COVID-19 community outbreak within the two local municipalities.
The RCDHU says over the past week, 3 students from Madawaska Valley District High School in Barry’s Bay, have positive laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19.
“All three of the confirmed cases attended the same social gathering outside of the school day. This is a result of community transmission and disregard for public health guidelines to restrict social groupings to a minimum size,” states Dr. Robert Cushman, Acting Medical Officer of Health, RCDHU.
This will continue to be followed by further testing and investigation, which could lead to more cases over the coming days.
“We are all responsible for the health and wellbeing of our community, family and friends. Parents need to make sure their children understand this and are following all the guidelines of Public Health. Just because you can do something, doesn’t make it a good idea,” expresses Mayor Kim Love, Township of Madawaska Valley.
“We are urging parents and guardians to have the difficult discussions with your children about COVID-19 and the associated dangers that come with not only contracting but spreading the virus. As role models, we must stress that it is not necessarily about how the virus will affect them, it is about how it could affect those they bring it home to – a parent, grandparent, family member or friend,” urges Dr. Cushman.
