December 6th, 2021

Region of Waterloo Public Health has declared a COVID-19 outbreak at Southridge Public School in a class cohort at the school. This outbreak has been previously reported by Region of Waterloo Public Health as part of the school closure notification.

Public Health’s investigation has determined four additional student cases, all last in the Southridge Public School building on November 26, including one in the same cohort as a case reported earlier this week. The identity of the individuals is protected by privacy legislation and will not be shared.

Additional staff members and students have been identified and directed to self-isolate. The school will remain closed until January 3, 2022.

If you are not contacted by Region of Waterloo Public Health, you are not considered a close contact. Public Health works with the school to identify student and staff close contacts of the confirmed cases to prevent further spread of COVID-19 in students, staff and the community.

Public Health is treating every single case of COVID-19 as a potential variant of concern before a variant is identified. As a result, our public communication will indicate only that a positive case has been identified. For all cases of COVID-19, Public Health is conducting enhanced case and contact management.

STAFF RESOURCES

Please continue to self-screen (using the COVID-19 School Screening Tool) and monitor your health daily, practice hand hygiene, respiratory etiquette and other infection control and prevention measures. If you experience symptoms consistent with COVID-19, access the COVID-19 Self-Assessment on the Public Health website and follow the direction given. Please visit the COVID-19 Health, Safety and Wellness Handbook for WRDSB Staff for guidance, wellness resources and information.

COMMUNITY RESOURCES

Please continue to monitor and screen your child for symptoms of COVID-19 daily. In accordance with guidance from the Ministry of Education, the Confirmed Cases of COVID-19 page will be updated on an ongoing basis with information regarding confirmed cases of COVID-19 involving a student or staff member in a school setting. For more information about COVID-19, please visit the Region of Waterloo Public Health website.