**** HEALTH / WELLNESS Media Release
Two Schools Report COVID-19 Cases
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Nova Scotia is reporting two COVID-19 cases today, June 6, connected to schools in Central Zone.
One person at each of the following schools tested positive:
– Graham Creighton Junior High, Dartmouth
– Bedford and Forsyth Education Centres (Dartmouth Campus)
The schools will remain closed to students until Thursday, June 10, to allow for testing of close contacts and a deep cleaning of the school. Students will learn from home during the closure, beginning Tuesday, June 8.
Families and students will receive an update before June 10.
“There remains a low level of COVID-19 activity in Halifax-area communities,” said Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia’s chief medical officer of health. “It isn’t unusual to see sporadic school cases connected to community exposure. In consultation with the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, there are established protocols for closing and opening schools and schools remain safe places for students and staff.”
Public health will be in touch with any close contacts of positive cases and advise of next steps, including testing. Everyone who is a close contact will be notified, tested and asked to self-isolate for 14 days.
Out of an abundance of caution, public health is recommending that all students and staff be tested for COVID-19, whether or not they have symptoms. No self-isolation is required while they wait for test results, unless they have been identified as a close contact by public health or have symptoms.
There are 324 public schools in Nova Scotia. Information about all COVID-19 cases connected to public schools can be found at: http://www.ednet.ns.ca/backtoschool/case-info
