Two schools in the southeast region have reported cases of COVID-19 and are working with Public Health to address the situation.

One of those schools is Ecole Saint-Joachim, a Francophone K-12 school in La Broquerie under La Division scolaire franco-manitobaine (DSFM).

Louise Legal-Perrin, Deputy Director of the DFSM, assures students and their parents that they are working closely with Public Health in dealing with the situation.

Louise Legal-Perrin (photo credit: DFSM website)“All efforts are made to keep the public aware, inform parents, because we understand how important it is, and it's also important that if for some reason a child would have come in contact with someone who has COVID,”says Legal-Perrin. “It's most important that parents be aware that if their child exhibits any symptoms that they would want to act on it as quickly as possible.”

She explains that it might take more time to disclose the specifics of the situation as that is still being determined.

“At this time, I couldn't confirm the number of cases. I can tell you, though, it's certainly not an outbreak. 'Cause if it was deemed an outbreak, that's when the school would have gone into a code red situation like we have with our schools in Winnipeg and in two rural divisions right now in Manitoba.”

The other school facing a similar situation is Blumenort School, a K-8 school under the Hanover School Division. Earlier today, the division released a notice that they have been responding to multiple confirmed cases of COVID-19 at the school.

“To avoid further escalation of cases and mitigate community impact, Hanover School Division (in consultation with Public Health) will transition Grades 5 & 6 cohorts to remote learning for two weeks, effective June 10 – June 23 inclusive. The school will remain open, and classes for all other grades will continue as scheduled.”

The notice goes on to say that, “In all cases, close contacts of staff and students were identified and advised to self-isolate along with their household members.”

HSD says that it will accommodate children (those not required to self-isolate) of eligible critical services workers who cannot make such arrangements. Accommodation will also be provided for any high-risk or special needs students in the Grades 5 & 6 cohorts. While at school, children of critical service workers will participate in and receive support for the same teacher-led remote learning that their classmates receive from home.

More information about Blumenort School's COVID situation is expected to be released by HSD on Friday.