Ponoka Elementary School (PES) stated in a letter to families on Feb. 24 that two cases of COVID-19 had been diagnosed in individuals at the school.
“We want to assure you that we are working closely with Alberta Health Services to ensure necessary measures are in place to protect all students and staff,” said principal Nathan McEntee in the letter.
“An investigation is underway by Alberta Health Services to determine if the individual was infectious while at school. Parents/guardians of students and staff who have been in close contact with the individual who has COVID-19 have been alerted directly via phone by school staff and will be isolating at home until the investigation concludes.”
If your household has not been contacted by the school, your child has not been identified as a close contact with this individual and therefore, is not at an increased risk from COVID-19.
All students and staff not identified as close contacts can attend school. The school remains open and classes will resume.
Cases in Ponoka (East Ponoka County) have risen to 17 according to the local geographic area setting on the geospatial map on alberta.ca as of Feb. 24.
The number of active cases had been falling over previous weeks, with nine cases reported on Feb. 11.