(Dreamstime)

By Troy Gillard

Alberta updates reporting for COVID-19 in schools

Jan 15, 2021 | 10:26 AM

The provincial government says it is updating the language it uses for describing COVID-19 case numbers in Alberta schools, based on feedback from education partners including parents, schools, and boards.

Currently, schools with COVID-19 cases are described as either being on alert, outbreak or watch. Each category reflects a certain number of cases at a particular school.

As of Jan. 18, the following terms will be used:

• Alert: one to four cases
• Outbreak: five-plus cases

The term “watch,” which the province says many partners found confusing, will no longer be used.

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“We are committed to clear communication, and this change in how we describe case numbers in schools helps us improve,” says Dr. Deena Hinshaw, Alberta’s chief medical officer of health.

“The terms we will use going forward are more intuitive, and we hope they will help staff and parents better understand the COVID-19 situation in their schools.”

Schools with two or more cases will continue to be reported and reflected on the COVID-19 school map. Additional guidance materials for learning during COVID-19 can be found at alberta.ca/returntoschool.

As of Jan. 14, there were 15 COVID-19 cases in schools since the return to in-class learning on Monday. Ten schools are on alert and two are on outbreak status.

Public health support provided to students, staff and families remains unchanged. Parents will continue to be notified when there is a single case in their child’s school and further supports will be initiated when there are two or more cases in a school.