Yesterday, the Ministry of Health’s Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (ESU) identified a potential COVID-19 exposure at Northlands Primary School. Based on the risk assessment, the Department of Health has been in direct contact with affected persons at Northlands Primary School. Only those persons contacted are required to quarantine. After the ESU risk assessment, it was concluded that Northlands Primary School open today.
In accordance with the Public Health Act, 1949 and the Public Health (COVID-19) Regulations 2020, the Chief Medical Officer has directed that those identified and contacted as close contacts by the Department of Health must be quarantined. This means those identified and contacted must stay home and away from other activities as of yesterday, March 15th 2021, until, and including March 22nd 2021, given the potential exposure from March 8th, 2021.
This includes not attending birthday parties, extra-curricular activities, social engagements, other places of employment, public places, public transport, grocery stores, etc. Non-essential visitors must not enter the home. For children, the child’s main caregiver(s) and close contacts within the home (including brothers and sisters) must also remain at home.
Other household members who are able to separate (separate bedroom and bathroom, no common spaces) from the child within the home are not required to remain at home unless your child is experiencing COVID‐19 symptoms or has a positive COVID‐19 test.
All public health guidelines must be followed by these other household members inside and outside of the home. This includes mask-wearing, hand hygiene and physical distancing. These guidelines are for safety and required by law. Failure to follow these guidelines will result in a fine and/or imprisonment. For further information about the legal requirements and penalties, visit: https://www.gov.bm/coronavirus-regulations
Minister of Education, the Hon Diallo Rabain, JP, MP, said, “I wish to thank the Department of Health staff for their immediate response to this potential COVID-19 exposure and for carrying out the risk assessment. After the necessary cleaning, the school opened this morning.”
“The individuals identified and contacted by the Department of Health must test for COVID-19 by March 17th and be re-tested on or again by March 22nd as the risk assessment determined the last date of COVID-19 exposure at the school was March 8th; therefore the 14-day quarantine period will end on March 22nd.
Minister Rabain added, “The Department of Health is organising a clinic today, Tuesday, March 16th, at the Bulls Head testing site. Priority for testing will be given to affected members of Northlands Primary School only. The Principal of Northlands Primary School will ensure that the students’ and associated teachers’ testing appointments are booked. Students must attend with a responsible adult who can consent to testing on behalf of the child. The responsible adult must bring a valid, government-issued picture ID for themselves and, if possible, for the child for whom they are giving consent. Alternatively, affected persons can speak with their doctors about getting tested.”
“The Department of Health will provide further advice once the test results are completed. Negative test results by a particular child or teacher will not automatically mean release from quarantine.”
Also, all public health guidelines are listed at https://www.gov.bm/coronavirus. For questions concerning COVID‐19, persons may consult their healthcare provider or contact schoolsurv@gov.bm .