School-connected case of COVID-19 reported outside Halifax

Nova Scotiahas recorded its firstCOVID-19 case connected to a school outside of the Halifax area.

Northeast Kings Education Centre in Canning will be closed from Wednesday until Friday for cleaning and contact tracing, according to a news release from the Nova Scotia Health Authority.

The release did not sayif the affectedperson is a student or a faculty member. The Health Department said the person was not in school Tuesday and is self-isolating.

Anyonewho attended class with a confirmed case will be asked to self-isolate for 14 days.

Potential exposure last week

A letter was sent to family members of students warning of potential exposure onNov. 19 or Nov. 20.It said testing will be arranged for all close contacts once they have been identified.

The health authoritysaid it isworking closelywith the Annapolis Valley Regional Centre for Education and the school to ensure measures are put in place to protect students and staff.

While the school is closed for cleaning, students will be provided support for at-home learning.

No one atNortheast Kings Education Centre was available to speak to CBC News.

2 other school-based cases

On Nov. 16, the province announced its first two school-based cases of COVID-19, both in the Halifax area.

One case was reported atAuburn Drive High in Cole Harbour, while the other was reportedatGraham Creighton Junior High in Cherry Brook.

Both schools remainclosed for deep cleaning and are expected to reopen Dec. 7.Students have switched to online learning for the time being.

On Monday, the province announced it ispurchasing 30,000 computers to help students with online learning.

New case at SaintMary's University

In a statement Tuesday, a Saint Mary's University spokesperson said "a SMU community member" has tested positiveforCOVID-19.

"Public Health is conducting contact tracing. Anyone asked to self-isolate by Public Health is doing so," the statement said."Others have been asked to monitor for symptoms due to low-risk interaction."

It said anyone who has not been contacted is not being asked to do anything, other than continue to follow Public Health protocols.

Due to privacy concerns, the school is not releasing any more information about the individual.

Over the weekend, two students at Dalhousie University also tested positive for COVID-19.

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