BARRHEAD - Alberta Health Services (AHS) declared a respiratory illness outbreak at Barrhead Elementary School (BES) on Dec. 19.
BES issued a media release late Tuesday afternoon notifying the public that AHS declared the outbreak at the school due to increased student illness with respiratory symptoms.
AHS require schools to report cases of respiratory illness when at least 10 per cent of the student population is absent due to sickness, or an "unusual amount" of students have common symptoms, such as cough, fever, runny nose, or shortness of breath.
When this happens, AHS investigates and decides whether or not to declare a respiratory disease outbreak.
If an outbreak is declared, AHS directs the school to step up its cleaning and disinfection actions and may bring safety measures such as closing water fountains and disinfecting shared items.
In a letter to parents, AHS states wearing a well-fitting, high-quality mask can help reduce the risk of becoming sick and help protect others from being exposed, but noted that students will be supported regardless of their choice to mask or not.
BES also asks parents who send food to the school with their child only to do it if they are pre-packaged, store-bought items.
The school has also postponed the Christmas assemblies scheduled for Dec. 20 and 21 and a choir performance on Dec. 20 until after the holiday break.
AHS also advises that students who are ill with respiratory symptoms should stay home from school until their symptoms have improved, they have not had a fever for 24 hours without using fever-reducing medication, and they feel well enough to resume normal activities.
The release states that teachers will communicate directly with parents about changes in their child's activities.
Parents can contact BES via e-mail at [email protected] or call 780-674-8518 for further information.
