By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

school division confirms...

Second COVID-19 case confirmed at Ponoka school, outbreak declared

Oct 8, 2020 | 10:10 AM

A COVID-19 outbreak has been declared at Ponoka Secondary Campus.

Wolf Creek Public Schools has confirmed the outbreak at the Grades 7-12 school on its website, though as of 10 a.m. Thursday morning, it is not listed on the province’s school status map.

“To date, AHS has notified the division and the school that there are two COVID-19 cases in relation to the school. These are the same two cases we notified you about, the first on Sunday, October 4, 2020, and the second today Wednesday, October 7, 2020,” a letter to families from Superintendent Jayson Lovell and Principal Kathy McTaggart reads. “AHS has now determined these two cases meet their definition of the term ‘outbreak.'”

According to Alberta.ca, an outbreak can be declared when there are two or more cases within a 14-day period.

At this time, AHS has advised the two cases at Ponoka Secondary are not the result of in-school transmission.

COUNSEL: "THIS IS ANOTHER CANCEL CULTURE

Judicial Review of ousted ex-Red Deer school trustee begins in Court of King's Bench

4h ago

Fire Permitting System Reopened

Lacombe County lifts fire restriction

6h ago

may 4 at bower place

United Way Central Alberta collecting donations for Menstrual Health Day

7h ago

“Parents/guardians of students who AHS deem to be close contacts, and are required to self isolate, will receive a call from Alberta Health Services shortly (24 to 48 hours) with additional information,” the letter continues. “Ponoka Secondary staff have already reached out to these families. Students isolated will continue to be supported by their regular teachers in their learning.”

Details about the individuals that have tested positive won’t be released due to privacy.

Wolf Creek Public Schools says that based on advice from AHS, Ponoka Secondary Campus will remain open at this time, and in-school classes will continue.

There have been just a handful of positive COVID-19 cases confirmed at schools in the Central Zone, including one each at Escuela Vista Grande (Sept. 11) and Lindsay Thurber High School (Sept. 17) in Red Deer. Ermineskin Kindergarten (Sept. 24) in Maskwacis has confirmed one case, and there are individual cases at three schools in Wetaskiwin, and one each in Hanna and Bruderheim.

All but the schools in Ponoka, Maskwacis and Hanna have been cleared, according to SupportOurStudents.ca.