The Middlesex-London Health Unit has been notified that a member of Hillcrest Elementary School has tested positive for COVID-19. The Health Unit is also investigating a number of other cases in school-aged children. Notification will be sent to parents, guardians and staff as part of the Health Unit’s investigation into these cases.
Unvaccinated close contacts are being advised to stay home from school and quarantine. The Health Unit continues to work with the Thames Valley District School Board, school administration and members of the school community to provide additional support.
“We know the fourth wave of the pandemic is here and it is critical that we all do our part to protect school-aged children, especially those who are not yet eligible to be protected by the COVID-19 vaccine,” says Dr. Chris Mackie, Medical Officer of Health with the Middlesex-London Health Unit. “This means continuing to follow public health guidelines that are in place such as completing the screening tool for symptoms before attending school or work every day, staying home if you are ill, wearing a mask and limiting social contacts on evenings, weekends and after school.”
The Health Unit is emphasizing that in order to keep kids in school it is critical that everyone, including students, staff, and visitors complete the COVID-19 screening tool and follow its directions before leaving the house each day. Complete the COVID-19 School and Child Care Screening here.
In addition to the Ontario Government’s health and safety measures in schools as students and staff return to in-person learning this week, the Middlesex-London Health Unit has also made recommendations for area schools, which include additional preventive measures for school settings to decrease the risk of COVID-19 transmission in schools. Learn more about additional guidance from the Middlesex-London Health Unit at www.healthunit.com/covid-19-resources-schools-and-child-care.
Please note: Moving forward there will be no additional media releases to announce COVID-19 cases in schools. All cases and outbreaks associated with schools will be posted daily on the Health Unit’s Summary of COVID-19 Cases in Middlesex-London dashboard under the School and child care tab.
For more information about COVID-19, please visit the Middlesex-London Health Unit’s website at www.healthunit.com/novel-coronavirus.
Media Contact:
Beth Milne, Communications Supervisor, Middlesex-London Health Unit,
519-617-0564 (cell)
Spokesperson:
Dr. Chris Mackie, Medical Officer of Health, Middlesex-London Health Unit