Classmates of positive COVID-19 cases in Saskatoon's major divisions now have to self-isolate

The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) has changed how it's containing COVID-19 cases in both of Saskatoon's major school divisions.

Classmates of any student who test positive for COVID-19 are now considered close contacts in both the Saskatoon Public School Division and Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools and will be required to self-isolate for 14 days.

Previously, classmates were not considered close contacts by default, and only certain students in the same class would be considered close contacts by health officials.

The SHA's approach was outlined to parents in a document sent to parents of the Saskatoon Public School Division this weekend, but the practice has been in place at the public division since Nov. 11.

"In the attempt to manage the increased cases along with the challenges of contacting everyone in a timely manner, the SHA has updated its procedures with regards to positive cases in classrooms," the document said.

"For now, every student in the class will be considered a close contact due to the amount of time spent together in the classroom, even with all safety protocols being followed."

CBC reached out to the Ministry of Education and the SHA for comment about the changes, but a response was not immediately received.

The information provided by the division said families will be notified about isolation through a letter from the health authority that will also provide them with information about self-isolation and a date of return.

A letter sent to parents of Aden Bowman Collegiate in Saskatoon said when a child is instructed to self-isolate, they should contact their teacher to discuss how to continue learning from home.

Veronica Baker with the Saskatoon Public School Division said the rule applied to both elementary and high-school students in the division, and said any further information will have to come from the health authority.

Derrick Kunz, a Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools spokesperson, said the rule is also in place for the city's catholic school division cohorts and classrooms.

School boards association pleased with communication

Shawn Davidson, president of the Saskatchewan School Boards Association, said health officials are approaching the situation with an "abundance of caution." It's his understanding these measures are being put in place in certain communities to help reduce stress being put on contact tracing efforts.

"As the caseload has increased within those communities, the amount of contact tracing that those local health officials have to do is obviously ballooning very quickly," said Davidson. "So certainly, there's a capacity issue within those public health offices to do all of the contact tracing."

Davidson says the level of communication between school division and the SHA has been good so far, and with transmission rates in schools "very close to zero" provincially, he says divisions are pleased with results so far. 

"Schools really are not hot spots for transmission whatsoever," he said, adding divisions across the province are in consistent communication with health officials.

For parents who may have a child in self-isolation as a result of a positive test, he said they should reach out to their school division to see what options are available to them to continue learning at home. 

"Work with them," he said. "I know that everyone has the best interest of the students at heart and we are trying very hard to try and continue quality education programs, even when those kids are at home due to isolation or whatever the case may be."

As of Nov. 18, there were 106 cases of COVID-19 recorded across 71 schools in Saskatchewan.