Ponoka Elementary School (PES) sent out a letter to parents and guardians on Dec. 21 advising that a case of COVID-19 had been diagnosed in an individual at the school.
A second case was then confirmed later in the afternoon.
“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,” states the letter.
Alberta Health Services (AHS) is conducting an investigation to determine if the individual(s) was/were infectious while they were at school.
Staff and parents or guardians of students that were in close contact with the individual(s) have been notified directly by school staff and will be isolating at home until the investigation concludes.
Those within the school community who have not been directly contacted by the school are 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 until winter break.
An individual related to the school tested positive for COVID-19 over the November break, but was not at the school while infectious.
As of 9 a.m. on Dec. 22, two schools in Ponoka County had been listed with an outbreak status (having two to four cases) on alberta.ca: Ponoka Christian School and Rimbey Junior Senior High School.
READ MORE: Positive individual was not at PES while infectious