Two positive COVID cases at Wakefield Elementary

Two students at the Wakefield Elementary School have tested positive for COVID-19. Low Down file photo.

Two Wakefield Elementary School students have tested positive for COVID-19.

Principal Julie Fram-Greig announced the first positive case in an email sent to parents just after 8 p.m., on Oct. 1, with a second case announced on Oct. 3. Due to confidentiality concerns, however, the school would not provide further details about the identity or grade of the students concerned. It’s the school’s first, and second, confirmed case since the beginning of the 2021-2022 school year.

Students and staff who had been in contact with the positive cases will be, “isolated until Oct. 7 inclusively,” Fram-Grieg wrote in the letter to parents. “Please rest assured that we are monitoring the situation closely in collaboration with the regional public health authorities. The health, safety and security of our students and staff remains our priority.”

The announcement of the positive cases at Wakefield Elementary followed an earlier announcement on Oct. 1. from the Western Quebec School Board (WQSB) announcing changes to public health measures in schools. These changes include mandating all students from grades 1-6 to wear masks during physical education as well as requiring all kindergarten students to wear masks while on the bus.

According to data released from WQSB on Oct. 1, 21 confirmed cases of COVID-19 had been reported within the school board since Aug. 27, including:

Aug. 27: 2 students at South Hull Elementary School;

Sept. 1: 1 student at D’Arcy McGee High School;

Sept. 1: 1 student at Greater Gatineau Elementary School;

Sept. 5: 1 student at D’Arcy McGee High School;

Sept. 9: 2 students at Greater Gatineau Elementary School;

Sept. 9: 2 students at Pierre Elliott Trudeau Elementary School;

Sept. 10: 1 student at Chelsea Elementary School;

Sept. 10: 1 student at Western Quebec Career Centre;

Sept. 11: 2 students at Greater Gatineau Elementary School;

Sept. 12: 1 student at D’Arcy McGee High School;

Sept. 13: 2 students at Greater Gatineau Elementary School;

Sept. 15: 1 student at Pierre Elliott Elementary School;

Sept. 15: 1 student at Lord Aylmer Elementary School;

Sept. 16: 1 student at Lord Aylmer Elementary School;

Sept. 24: 1 student at Pierre Elliott Trudeau Elementary School;

Oct. 1: 1 student at D’Arcy McGee High School;

Parents are encouraged to consult the online COVID-19 self-assessment tool at bit.ly/3B6pLFa, to monitor their children for the appearance of possible symptoms.