Two COVID-19 cases connected to Ashmont School

Ashmont School will be closed on Monday morning as Alberta Health Services said two COVID-19 infections are connected to individuals at the school.

AHS notified St. Paul Education Regional Division and said on Saturday that public health staff are investigating a case of COVID-19 at Ashmont School.

In a letter to parents on Sunday from St. Paul Education Regional Division superintendent Glen Brodziak said the school will have a thorough cleaning, and students and staff deemed close contacts will be told to stay home.

“From what we understand, the transmission did not originally occur within the school,” the letter said.

“It will open again on Tuesday, October 20, with all the necessary safety protocols in place. We are personally reaching out to the individual students and staff members that have been identified as ‘close contacts’ [sic] and informing them they must remain home.

“AHS will be following up with these people directly with further instructions, including how long isolation will be required.”

First Nation Inuit Health Branch will be identifying and coordinating the ‘close contacts’ for Nation buses, the letter said.

“AHS is working closely with our school to ensure all necessary steps are being taken to protect the health and safety of our students and staff.”

“For those students directed to isolate by AHS, the school will be contacting you with regard to your child’s continued education.”

Ashmont School serves Kindergarten to Grade 12 students in Saddle Lake, Whitefish Lake, Ashmont, McRae and area.

Lakeland cases

Heading out of the weekend, Seven infections are active in Saddle Lake Cree Nation with one in hospital, four active in Kehewin Cree Nation reported on Friday, and one case is active in the Cold Lake area.

There has been 40 total infections in Saddle Lake since September 5.

There are three active cases of COVID-19 in Lac La Biche County and the M.D. of Bonnyville, according to the provincial virus data map.

In the Local Geographic Area of St. Paul on the AHS virus map, which includes Saddle Lake, there are 10 active cases, and two active infections in the Smoky Lake area.

There has been 20 total cases within the M.D. of Bonnyville, 18 cases in Two HIlls County, 16 in Vermilion River County, 15 in Smoky Lake County, 12 in St. Paul area, nine in Cold Lake, four in Lac La Biche County, and one in Frog Lake area.