OTTAWA -- A Barrhaven catholic elementary school will reopen on Monday, two weeks after being forced to close due to COVID-19.
In a message to parents, Monsignor Paul Baxter elementary school says Ottawa Public Health confirms the school can reopen on Monday, Oct. 5.
Ottawa Public Health declared a COVID-19 outbreak at the school on Sept. 18 and ordered the school to close for at least 14 days. According to Ottawa Public Health, two students and two staff members tested positive for the virus at the school.
Ottawa Public Health declares an outbreak at a school once it has been determined that two individuals have tested positive for COVID-19 with an epidemiological link.
In a statement to CTV News Ottawa, the Ottawa Catholic School Board says the four people who tested positive for COVID-19 have completed their period of isolation.
"OPH inspected the school and are satisfied that all proper infection control measures (including cleaning, disinfecting, signage) are in place."
Students, parents and guardians, and staff were advised to continue to follow the infection and prevention control practices that have been put in place to reduce the risk of the spread of COVID-19.
These infection and prevention control practices include:
- Screening children and staff daily
- Staying home when sick
- Cohorting (grouping and separation of) students and staff
- Cleaning and disinfecting
- Using personal protective equipment as required (e.g., masking, eye protection)
- Ensuring proper hand hygiene
- Posting signage to emphasize public health measures (e.g., hand hygiene, coughing and sneezing etiquette)
- Maximizing physical distancing
COVID-19 outbreaks have been declared at nine Ottawa schools, including Monsignor Paul Baxter School.
The Ottawa Catholic School Board reports COVID-19 cases at 23 Ottawa schools. Forty-five students and six staff members have tested positive for the virus.
The Ottawa Catholic School Board has 89 schools in Ottawa.
