Yorkton school shifts to online learning following four positive COVID-19 cases

Yorkton Regional High School (YRHS) is shifting online, due to a number of individuals testing positive for COVID-19.

According to a letter to parents and guardians posted on its website, four individuals associated with the school have tested positive for COVID-19. At this time, it’s believed to be from community spread.

“While school transmission has not been identified, parents of affected classrooms will be notified and public health has begun its contract tracing process,” reads the letter from Quintin Robertson, director of education for the Good Spirit School Division.

The school will now immediately transition to full mandatory remote learning for all students at YRHS. Classes for Grade 9 to 12 students have been cancelled for Monday, to allow staff time to finalize preparations.

Mandatory remote classes begin Tuesday, continuing until Oct. 16. Students will tentatively return to in-class learning on Oct. 19, based on the advice of the local medical health officer.

The Good Spirit School Division will fully disinfect the YRHS building prior to students returning to school.

Earlier Sunday, the Saskatchewan Health Authority said it was working with a business, along with the school division, to investigate a cluster of students who tested positive at YRHS.

It said investigations are ongoing, but there’s no indication that transmission happened within the school setting.

If two or more people test positive for COVID-19 and are all linked to a specific school setting within a specified time period, an outbreak is declared for that school.