Omicron variant found in Brandon school
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 17/12/2021 (1434 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
At least one case of the COVID-19 variant omicron has been confirmed at a school in Brandon, according to a notice issued by the Brandon School Division to parents, guardians and students late Friday afternoon.
The letter, signed by BSD Supt. Mathew Gustafson, did not name the school.
“I felt compelled to share this information given the conversations in our province and in Canada regarding the level of risk for this variant,” Gustafson wrote. “I felt that families and staff should be aware that the Omicron variant is present in our region.
“The purpose of the awareness is not to create panic but to provide information for families to make decisions and to reinforce the importance of our continued diligence in maintaining the protective measures.”
Additionally, Manitoba is increasing its rapid test kit supply to provide free, voluntary rapid antigen tests for students in kindergarten to Grade 6. Distribution will begin with First Nations communities and expand to other school divisions as supply is received.
Brandon School Division is not aware of when it will receive a shipment, but it’s not expected until the new year, the letter said. However, the division will send a survey to parents which will allow families to opt out of receiving a test kit.
The school division has seen an increase in COVID-19 exposures in its schools over the last two weeks, the letter said. There have been 26 exposures among school-aged children and staff in BSD between Dec. 2-17. During that same time period, there were 135 cases among school-aged children and staff in Brandon and 306 in the Prairie Mountain Health region. Between Dec. 1-14, there were 465 cases among school-aged children and staff province-wide.
The school division will continue to monitor for cases over the holiday break.
“If there is a COVID exposure in the last week of school, we are committed to ensuring that families and staff continue to receive the notifications in the same timely manner. To accomplish this, school administrators and Divisional administration are making themselves available during the holidays,” the letter stated.
BSD encourages families to remain alert to potential infections within their households.
“Our best protective measures continue to be self-monitoring for symptoms, staying home when sick, consistent mask use, hand hygiene, physical distancing, and vaccinations. In addition, our schools will continue to monitor our ventilation systems and employ the cohort system to limit contacts if there is a COVID exposure in a school.”
» The Brandon Sun