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Outbreak at Dr. Wilbert Keon in Chapeau: elementary school closed till November 26

The logo of the Western Quebec School Board, showing three white ws in a vertical formation on a teal background.
Dr. Wilbert Keon Elementary School in Chapeau is currently closed due to a COVID-19 outbreak. Photo courtesy of the Western Quebec School Board.
Caleb Nickerson - CHIP - Pontiac • QC | 18-11-2021
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Dr. Wilbert Keon Elementary School in Chapeau will close its doors, starting Nov. 17 until Nov. 26 due to an ongoing COVID-19 outbreak. The news was announced yesterday in a letter published by Principal Neil Fleming on behalf of the Western Quebec School Board. Fleming said that the decision to close was put forth by himself and WQSB Director General Mike Dubeau and agreed upon by public health officials.

CHIP 101.9 has reached out to Dubeau for additional details.

The letter notes that the high school section will remain open with extra precautions in place because there are no cases at that level and the majority of students are protected. They will be required to wear masks in class until further notice.

Public health authorities told CHIP 101.9 in an email that as of Nov. 17, there had been 14 cases among elementary students since Nov. 6. They also state that they are monitoring all cases and close contacts of cases.

Pontiac MNA André Fortin commented briefly on the situation during an interview Nov. 17. He said that the communication from authorities on the situation could have been better. He also pointed to the fact that the high school portion of the school, where the majority of the students are vaccinated, had no cases as evidence of the efficacy of vaccines:

 

The Public Health Department would like to remind the population that in the event of the presence of symptoms related to COVID-19, it is important for those concerned to isolate themselves immediately and to take a screening test, without an appointment, at the walk-in clinic at the Mansfield-et-Pontefract multiservice center located at 160, chemin de la Chute, open from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., Monday to Friday.

Today, parents will be able to pick up Chromebooks between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Distance learning activities will commence on Nov. 18.

There will be two days for a full screening of the whole school, on Nov. 18 and Nov. 25, parents can pick up testing kits, as well as work and materials between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. The drop-off will be the following days (Nov.19 and Nov. 26) between 7 and 8:30 a.m. Parents or legal guardians must drop off the test.