News Release: Health Unit Dismisses École secondaire catholique Algonquin School Community

NORTH BAY, ON - The North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit (Health Unit) has dismissed all students and staff of École secondaire catholique Algonquin after an individual has tested positive for COVID-19. This dismissal is related to the COVID-19 Variant of Concern and is a cautionary measure to reduce the spread of the virus. All individuals from the 133 bus route and from the grade 9 cohort are considered high-risk and are required to self-isolate immediately. All high-risk individuals will be contacted by the Health Unit over the weekend and will be provided with additional public health guidance. At this time, the Health Unit has not declared an outbreak and as the investigation progresses, the Health Unit will re-assess the need to keep the school closed. The Health Unit is working with the school and school board to provide guidance to parents, guardians and staff.

“We are taking every precaution to keep the students and staff safe. We need to stop the spread of COVID-19 Variant of Concern, and if we don’t act now, it could be devastating for the entire school community, and our district,” stresses Dr. Jim Chirico, Medical Officer of Health.

If you are a parent or guardian of a student at École secondaire catholique Algonquin and have questions, please call the Health Unit’s School Call Centre at 1-800-563-2808 option 6.

If you think you may have COVID-19 symptoms or have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive, first self-isolate and then use Ontario's Self-Assessment Tool to see if you need to seek testing or further care. If you need further assistance, call your health care provider or the Health Unit at 1-800-563-2808. If you have severe symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, you should call 911 and mention your symptoms.

Visit Ontario’s website to learn more about how the province continues to protect Ontarians from COVID-19.

For more information, please visit myhealthunit.ca/COVID-19.

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Media Inquiries:

Catherine Levac-Lafond, Bilingual Media Relations Coordinator
P: 705-474-1400, ext. 5221 or 1-800-563-2808
E: communications@healthunit.ca