It appears Holy Cross isn’t the only Saskatchewan high school with a case of COVID-19. A parent contacted our radio station indicating they have received a letter regarding an individual at St. Joseph High School in Saskatoon having also tested positive for COVID-19. It does not specify if it was a student or a teacher who tested positive. The letter is from Principal Cheryl Thorson and indicates Public Health will contact parents and guardians of any students with the case and will provide further direction. If you don’t hear from Public Health then your child was not exposed.

The third case is at Ecole St. Peter School, with no details released from Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools as to whether it was a student, teacher or other staff who was confirmed to have the novel coronavirus.

Ironically, Saskatoon’s Holy Cross High School was designated as one of three schools in the province where school testing for COVID-19 would begin. That is coming up this Thursday. It is also one of the first schools in the province to record a case of COVID-19. A letter sent to parents indicates it is a student who tested positive. The letter says that there are two affected cohorts who have been notified and advised to monitor for symptoms and encouraged to use a Daily Self-Assessment Checklist each day before attending school.

COVID-19 Daily Screening Questionnaire

The letter also indicates that because of block scheduling, the 2-cohort block system, as well as safety and sanitation protocols in place, that the Saskatchewan Health Authority has determined the risk to be very low. In addition, at this time, the letter says there is no evidence of community transmission.

The director’s report to the Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools, for their meeting today (mon), indicates Holy Cross, as well as a school in Prince Albert and one in Regina, were identified as schools where they would begin student testing. Testing at Holy Cross is taking place on September 17th and is voluntary.