Two Thames Valley schools were notified on Monday that there is potential close contact with the new Omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus. Princess Elizabeth Public School in London, and Delaware Public School in Delaware have identified close contact cases but will remain open at this time. All individuals affected are isolating, and all appropriate public health follow-up is underway. Board Director of Education, Mark Fisher says “As the situation evolves, we will continue to take precautionary measures based on the guidance of our local health units to ensure the safety of our staff and students, which is our number one priority.”
“This situation continues to evolve very quickly, but there is already enough evidence to indicate strongly that the Omicron variant has arrived in our region,” says Dr. Alex Summers, Acting Medical Officer of Health with the Middlesex-London Health Unit. “While we’re still learning about the variant, it’s clear that it spreads easily. We recommend people continue to follow public health guidance, especially by getting vaccinated, wearing a mask, maintaining physical distance, and limiting the size of social gatherings.”
Anyone who receives a notification letter from the health unit should go for testing and monitor for symptoms. Due to this suspected exposure to the Omicron variant of concern, there are enhanced isolation and testing requirements as listed below.
– Those who have been identified and notified as close contacts are required to self-isolate until the end of the isolation period AND have a negative PCR test regardless of vaccination status.
– An appointment is required to get tested for COVID-19, visit http://www.covidtestinglm.ca/ to book a test.
– Should a close contact decline testing, the isolation period will be extended for an additional 10 days. A Rapid Antigen Test cannot be used.
– Other household members who do not have symptoms do not need to be tested. Testing is for close contacts and individuals with symptoms only.
