LONDON, ONT. -- The Middlesex-London Health Unit (MLHU) has confirmed that a person tested positive for COVID-19 at H.B. Beal Secondary School, the first school case in London.
It has been confirmed to CTV News that the case is a student and that only one class so far is impacted.
The case is not believed to have originated at the school.
Close contacts of the person in question have been notified and will be asked to get tested.
“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,” says Dr. Chris Mackie, Medical Officer of Health with the MLHU in a news release.
“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,” Dr. Mackie adds.
According to the Thames Valley District School Board, the MLHU has indicated that there is no evidence at this time that the case resulted from contact at the school.
Only students and staff who are at risk will be contacted by the MLHU. They will be asked not to return to school until they have been tested and free of symptoms.
The school will remain open at this time and school buses will operate.
Officials from the Thames Valley District School Board declined repeated requests for an on-camera interview Monday evening.
A joint news conference will be held Tuesday at 2 p.m. with the board director and Dr. Mackie.
