Today, Renfrew County and District Health Unit (RCDHU) in collaboration with the Renfrew County District School Board (RCDSB) and the Renfrew County Joint Transportation Consortium (RCJTC) are confirming that additional students from Highview Public School and Champlain Discovery Public School in Pembroke have tested positive for COVID-19.
RCDHU is declaring Highview Public School in outbreak as there is now evidence of transmission within the school, meeting the provincial definition of a confirmed outbreak.
Furthermore, RCDHU has also found evidence of transmission of COVID-19 on two bus routes (162K and 167K) that service Highview Public School and Champlain Discovery Public School, meeting the provincial definition of a confirmed outbreak.
This brings the total to three new outbreaks. The individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 as well as the affected cohorts are self-isolating, while the schools remain open for in-person learning.
Additionally, the COVID-19 outbreak reported at Valour JK-12 School in Petawawa last week, has also now been linked specifically to bus (113W) transmission. No transmission has been linked within the school setting.
RCDHU is working closely with the RCDSB and RCJTC to ensure necessary measures continue to be in place on busses and within facilities, actively investigating the cases, and monitoring the situation.
Remember to stay home when sick – even with only mild symptoms, get tested as soon as possible, get fully vaccinated, and complete the COVID-19 self-assessment tool or COVID-19 school and child care self-assessment tool before going to work, school or daycare, to monitor for symptoms and proper guidance.
For more information on what you should do if you have been notified that you are a high-risk contact based on vaccination status, visit RCDHU’s Management of High-Risk Contacts and Their Household Members.
To book a COVID-19 test with Renfrew County Virtual Triage Assessment Centre (VTAC) visit https://rcvtac.ca/. If you cannot book online call VTAC at 1-844-727-6404.
RCDHU is currently experiencing very high call volumes related to a sharp increase in cases and contacts of COVID-19. Please only contact RCDHU if you have had an exposure and are reporting symptoms. Please leave a detailed message and we will respond to you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your patience.
For more information, visit RCDHU’s website at https://www.rcdhu.com/novel-coronavirus- covid-19-2/.
