Two new cases of COVID-19 linked to Ecole La-Belle-Cloche prompts weeklong school closure

Chief Public Health Officer, Dr. Heather Morrison, has announced two new cases of COVID-19 in Prince Edward Island, both of which are linked to Ecole La-Belle-Cloche in Souris. 

Both individuals are under the age of 12 years and are students at Ecole La-Belle-Cloche. This is the third case at this school announced this weekend and the situation is considered a school-based outbreak. 

“We are expecting more cases related to this outbreak in the coming days,” said Dr. Morrison. “It is extremely important that anyone in the Souris area who is experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19, even if they are mild, get tested at a Health PEI clinic. This situation is a good reminder for everyone to stick to the public health basics, including staying home when sick, getting fully vaccinated (if eligible), washing hands often and wearing a mask in indoor public places.”

In order to allow time for testing and to limit further transmission of COVID-19, Ecole La-Belle-Cloche will be closed for this week, from Monday, December 6 to Friday, December 10 inclusive.

The child care center, the after-school program and the community center contained in the school will remain closed until at least Wednesday, December 8 with further direction to be provided.  

Online learning will begin on Wednesday, December 8 (parents and guardians will be contacted) and the school will undergo deep cleaning this week. 

Close contacts of these cases will be contacted and advised regarding testing and isolation requirements.

• All individuals identified as close contacts are asked to be tested at a Health PEI drop-in testing clinic tomorrow in Charlottetown (at 64 Park Street between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm) or Montague (14 Rosedale Road between 9:30 am and 2:00 pm).  

All other students and staff who are not identified as close contacts and do not have symptoms of COVID-19 are asked to be tested at Ecole La-Belle-Cloche on Monday, December 6.

• Those with last names beginning with A to M are asked to arrive for testing at 11:00 am.
• Those with last names starting with N to Z are asked to arrive at 11:45 am.
• Students and staff who are not close contacts are asked to isolate until they receive test results and further direction will be provided by public health.

Testing for individuals who do not have symptoms is also available on Monday, December 6 at Wood Islands (former weigh station near the ferry terminal) between 10:00 am and 12:00 pm and between 3:00 pm and 5:00 pm.  

There are new public exposure notifications on Saturday, December 4:

• Eastern Kings Sportsplex (203 Veteran’s Memorial Highway, Souris) between 7:00 am and 10:25 am
• Northumberland Arena (1251 Gladstone Road, Murray River) between 11:00 am and 12:30 am

Anyone who was at these locations during these times who is not fully vaccinated should visit a drop-in testing clinic to be tested and monitor for symptoms for 14 days from the date of exposure. If any symptoms develop, individuals should be re-tested.

Anyone who was at these locations during these times who is fully vaccinated should monitor for symptoms for 14 days from the date of exposure and if any symptoms develop, they should visit a drop-in testing clinic.

There are currently 20 active cases of COVID-19 in PEI and there have been 389 cases since the pandemic began. 

As always, all Islanders are urged to get tested if they experience any symptoms of COVID-19, even after a previous negative test, and to self-isolate until the results come back. Islanders are also encouraged to download the free national COVID Alert app, which will let them know if they have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.

Anyone age 12 and over can receive their COVID-19 vaccination at one of the Health PEI clinics or at one of the 28 partner pharmacies across the province. Island children between the ages of five and 11 can now receive their COVID-19 vaccination at Health PEI clinics.  

For information on PEI’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout, including vaccine facts, immunization data and booking an appointment, visit: COVID-19 Vaccines. For answers to commonly asked questions about the COVID-19 vaccines, visit: Answers to Common COVID-19 Vaccine Questions.

Backgrounder: 

The Chief Public Health Office continues to work closely with the federal government, provincial and territorial counterparts, government departments and Health PEI to monitor the pandemic situation and prepare for all COVID-19 related impacts to the province, including health, social and economic. The public health risk of COVID-19 is continually reassessed, and Islanders will be updated as new information becomes available.

Everyone is encouraged to follow routine prevention measures:
•    Wash hands frequently with soap and water 
•    Cough and sneeze into your elbow or a tissue 
•    Get vaccinated 
•    Wear a non-medical mask in indoor places 
•    Stay home if you are not feeling well 
•    Limit touching your eyes, nose and mouth 
•    Keep your circle of contacts small 
•    Physical distance - stay two meters (6 feet) apart 
•    Don’t share items like drinking glasses and water bottles 
•    Frequently clean surfaces like taps, doorknobs and countertops 
•    Visit a drop-in-clinic to be tested if you have COVID-19 symptoms
 

Media Contacts:

Samantha Hughes
Health and Wellness
(902) 316-1323
shughes@gov.pe.ca

Autumn Tremere
Education and Lifelong Learning
(902) 368-6449
agtremere@gov.pe.ca