The medical officer of health for the region says although it’s only a probable case of COVID-19 at Ecole Nouveau Regard in Cochrane, the same process is being used as if it’s confirmed. And Dr. Lianne Catton says it was a joint decision to close the entire school.
“It was a collaborative decision between the school board,” Catton remarks. “and we definitely supported them with this decision as the health unit, in that we needed the time to do a very careful and thoughtful investigation.”
There were also concerns about two other members of the school community, but their test results came back negative. That leaves the one probable case.
“And so while we’re awaiting that information, the most important step is to make sure that we provide the information of potential exposures and isolate anyone who may be exposed and make sure the follow-up is don,” the MOH notes.
Catton adds that the decision to reopen the K-to-12 school is the board’s, with input from the health unit.