Gatineau elementary student sent home with COVID-19 symptoms

A student at Lord Aylmer Elementary Schoolin Gatineau, Que., was sent home with symptoms of COVID-19on Wednesday, a school board official says.

Mike Dubeau, director general of the Western Quebec School Board, saidhe cannot comment on specifics of the case, like the child's age or gender,but he is confident all protocols were followed.

The student was at the school for approximately three hours before they went home, he said.

"All social distancing protocols are in place for cases just like this.We needto try and keep everybody safe," said Dubeau.

Quebec opened elementary schools in all areas except for Montreal on Monday. Students at the Western Quebec School Board went back Tuesday, after a PD day for teachers on Monday.

Dubeau said classrooms atthe school are currently limited to only five or six studentsand desks are spaced to follow the Ministry of Education's guidelines.

Students and staff also practise physical distancing in the hallways and conduct proper handwashing, he said.

'Asafe environment for students'

As soon as the child reported not feeling well, they were sent to an isolation room and outfitted with personal protective equipmentuntil they were picked up by their parents, Dubeau said.

The school has also contacted public health officials, saidDubeau.

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Dubeau said schoolswere ready and trained to receive students this weekand he is not surprised that this happened.

"It's probably going to happen again.Students get sick on a regular basis and it's not always COVID," he said.

"With the protocols we have in place, I'm confident that we're providing, as much as possible, a safe environment for students."

Dubeau said the school has contacted all parents of students in the child's class.