Thursday, October 07, 2021

UPDATED
756 Alberta schools reporting cases of COVID-19, 54 declare outbreaks

Dr. Vipond: 'Zero protection' for kids in Alberta



CTV News Edmonton
Published Oct. 7, 2021 

EDMONTON -

Alberta's first list of schools reporting cases of COVID-19 since resuming the practice shows 54 have declared outbreaks of the virus, while more than 750 have reported at least two cases.

An outbreak is declared when 10 or more cases are reported within a 14-day period.

According to the list, there are 179 schools on alert with two to nine cases in the Edmonton Zone, and 10 more that have declared outbreaks.


Infographics: COVID-19 in Alberta by the numbers

The list also shows 199 Calgary Zone schools have reported between two and nine cases. Eleven Calgary Zone schools have declared outbreaks.

There are a total of 756 Alberta schools reporting at least two cases of COVID-19 on the province's list.

Released on Wednesday, the list was the province's first public disclosure of cases of COVID-19 in schools since announcing its newest plan to deal with the virus in schools on Tuesday.

Contact tracing returns to Alberta schools

Tuesday's announcement was a reversal of the province's decision announced in August, when its back-to-school plan included an end to reporting of COVID-19 cases unless there was a school-wide absence rate of 10 per cent or higher.

Alberta's back-to-school plan: COVID-19 vaccine clinics, masking not required by province

During Tuesday's announcement, the province also said next week school districts will start contact notification to parents if their child is exposed to COVID-19.

Health officials will conduct contact tracing for schools starting in November.

The province also announced it would give rapid tests to K-6 schools with outbreaks as children 12 and under can’t get vaccinated.

Rapid tests will be voluntary and administered by parents at home.

Alberta also recommended school divisions to implement a vaccine mandate for staff.

The shift in policy by the Alberta government came as the public school board in the provincial capital called on the province to implement a "firebreak" lockdown.
 (  Catholic schools in Alberta are considered Public schools as well)


More than 100 schools in the Edmonton Zone have COVID-19 cases

EDMONTON -

Nearly 200 Edmonton Zone schools have COVID-19 cases on the first day Alberta Health began to report infections in the classroom online.

There are 179 schools on alert with two to nine cases in the Edmonton Zone, and 10 schools with outbreaks — 10+ cases.


Four of the schools in the outbreak category are in Edmonton: Edmonton Islamic Academy, John Paul I Catholic School, Nellie Carlson School and Westglen School.

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Alberta reports 1,263 new COVID-19 cases, 26 deaths

On Tuesday, Alberta said it would resume reporting school cases, and next week school districts will start contact notification to parents if their child is exposed to COVID-19. Health officials will conduct contact tracing for schools starting in November.
Contact tracing returns to Alberta schools

The province also announced it would give rapid tests to K-6 schools with outbreaks as children 12 and under can’t get vaccinated.

Rapid tests will be voluntary and administered by parents at home.

Alberta also recommended school divisions to implement a vaccine mandate for staff.


  

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