Staff with the Northwestern Health Unit are reporting a new COVID-19 outbreak in an Emo school and childcare facility. The Sturgeon Creek Alternative Program and SonShine Christian Kindergarten programs have both been affected.
By provincial definition, a COVID-19 outbreak is declared in a school when there are two or more cases and the contact tracing does not show probable links outside of the school setting.
All individuals identified as high-risk contacts will be contacted and provided with instructions. At this time, the school and childcare facility remain open, and low-risk students and vaccinated staff who are not contacted by the health unit can continue to attend.
Northwestern Health Unit staff say they’ve noted an increase in COVID-19 cases among unvaccinated residents in the area recently. To prevent further outbreaks, the public is asked to self-isolate and get tested when symptoms appear.
A COVID-19 outbreak was declared at the Sturgeon Creek Alternative Program in April.