The Grey Bruce Health Unit is working with Bluewater District School Board to address two probable cases of COVID-19 associated with École Port Elgin Saugeen Central School in Saugeen Shores. A probable case is defined as direct link with a positive case, symptomatic and has not been tested.

A December 10 media release from the Grey Bruce Health said that while there are individuals with probable COVID-19 associated with this school, their assessment to date indicates that transmission did not take place within the school environment. Currently there are no outbreaks (i.e. evidence of transmission from person to person) in any schools or childcare centres in Grey Bruce. No bus routes of any schools are involved with this case.

"Public Health is the lead in all outbreaks and case management," read the release. "Public Health will contact you if you have had close contact with someone who has COVID-19, based on a thorough risk assessment completed only by Public Health."

The release also stated that determining who has had close contact is a decision that can only be made by Public Health and that anyone who is at heightened risk of COVID-19 transmission due to close contact to a person with COVID-19 will be contacted by Public Health within 24 hours of the investigation.

"Those not contacted by Public Health need not take any additional steps including asymptomatic testing," the release added.

The Grey Bruce Health Unit will direct those considered at risk regarding testing requirements and recommendations (e.g., timing). There is no value in anyone being tested before they are notified and instructed to do so by Public Health. Results of early testing are unreliable and place individuals at risk of more testing than is required.

In this situation, the persons with COVID-19 have been contacted directly by our COVID-19 Case and Contact Management Team, said the release.

"We are working with the individuals and Bluewater District School Board to identify others, both in and out of the school environment, who may have been exposed and to determine their risk level," the release said.

All contact tracing and determination of individual and community risk is made by Public Health. This is true of all cases, whether in schools, workplaces or the community. A health care provider or school official cannot make this decision.