[Updated with video] A “non-teaching worker employed at Clearwater Middle School tested positive for the coronavirus over the weekend” and the “initial assessments by the Department of Health are that the school is safe to open” on Monday [Nov 30] so “all teachers, students and staff should report to campus tomorrow.”
The Minister of Education Diallo Rabain stated, “A non-teaching worker, employed at Clearwater Middle School tested positive for the coronavirus over the weekend. The initial assessments by the Department of Health are that the school is safe to open tomorrow, Monday, 30 November, and will undergo a full risk assessment.
“Given that the worker is not an employee of Clearwater Middle School or with the Department of Education, the risk has currently been assessed by the Department of Health to be minimal. All teachers, students and staff should report to campus tomorrow.
“The Department of Health continues to follow a thorough, comprehensive, data-driven, and scientific approach for contact tracing and making decisions around who is required to quarantine and who is not.
“This approach has proven effective at other schools and after the risk assessment by the Department of Health, where most schools have been cleared for students and staff. The advice and directives from the Department of Health have allowed us to navigate this pandemic since it began. The way they have handled this and kept us safe is well known, recognized, and appreciated.”
Minister Rabain concluded, “The health and safety of all students and staff is a priority for the Department of Education and we will continue to work closely with the Ministry of Health to keep teachers, staff, students and parents updated. I will issue a public statement once we know the results of the risk assessment.
“We will not put the health of our students and or staff at risk at any point – and appreciate the cooperation and work of the Department of Health and the teachers throughout our Public School School system who have done a phenomenal job.”
