Members of the H.B. Beal Secondary School community are being urged to monitor for coronavirus symptoms after a positive test at the school.
The Middlesex London Health Unit announced Monday that it had been notified that a member of the Beal community had tested positive for COVID-19. Citing privacy concerns, it did not say if the infected person is a student or a member of the staff.
The health unit said members of the school community who are close contacts of the person who tested positive are being notified and directed to get tested. But it said those who are not close contacts or family members of close contacts don't need to get tested unless they begin to develop symptoms.
"We are working closely with the Thames Valley District School Board and the staff at Beal Secondary School to ensure everyone has the information they need to address concerns while also reducing the risk the virus could spread further,” said Medical Officer of Health Dr. Chris Mackie. “In the meantime, we are asking parents of students, and staff members, to watch for symptoms of COVID-19 and to seek testing at an Assessment Centre should any develop.”
Mark Fisher, director of education with the Thames Valley District School Board, said all staff and parents were immediately notified of the positive case at the high school.
"The investigation is ongoing, but MLHU has indicated that there is no evidence at this time that the case resulted from contact at the high school," he said. "If you have not been contacted by the MLHU, your child is not considered to be at risk. Only students and staff who are at risk will be contacted by MLHU and will be asked not to return to school until they have been tested for COVID-19 and free of any symptoms."
Fisher said H.B. Beal will remain open and school buses will operate normally.
The health unit reported five new cases of COVID-19 on Monday. There are currently 64 active cases in London and Middlesex County.