PRI Staff COVID Update – March 24, 2022

Update on our Community

  • All students received a rapid antigen test today
  • 3 more Moffat House students have symptoms or have tested positive
  • These students have been isolated and have completed PCR tests (awaiting results)
  • All students in the Main Building are negative and symptom free 
  • Any weekend scheduled off-campus visits are, for now, postponed.
  • No additional staff have tested positive for COVID-19.

If you are concerned you may be a close contact and have questions, please reach out to Jamie or Jennifer.

Update to our COVID-19 Policies and Procedures 

With the support of Public Health, we are gradually updating our COVID-19 policies to align more closely with general provincial guidance — rather than those of a high-risk congregate care setting. Our new policies will allow us to apply increased discretion depending on the levels of COVID-19 risk in the organization and in the community. 

Our priority will continue to be the overall health and safety of the students, staff, and families. 

Symptomatic Students 

Students presenting with COVID-19 symptoms, will isolate and be given rapid antigen test immediately and a PCR test as soon as possible 

If negative: 

  • Bedrest and monitoring of symptoms 
  • If symptoms are improving, rapid test again in 24-48 hours 
  • After two consecutive negative tests, students can be released from isolation. 

If positive:

  • Providing the student is fully vaccinated and that their symptoms have been improving for at least 24 hours (48 if GI issues), students can be released from isolation after 5 days.   
  • During days 5-10, students will be asked to increase diligence around mask-wearing  

Symptomatic Staff 

Staff members who do not pass the screening are not to attend work, may take a rapid test, and obtain a PCR test

If negative:  

  • Stay at home and monitor symptoms. 
  • If symptoms are improving, rapid test in 24-48 hours. 
  • After two consecutive negative tests, staff members may return to work. 

If positive:  

  • Providing the staff member is fully-boosted and that their symptoms have been improving for at least 24 hours (48 if GI issues), staff may return to work after 5 days.   
  • During days 5-10, staff members will be asked to increase diligence around mask-wearing at work and maintain social distance during meal times. 
  • If the staff member is supporting an unvaccinated student, alternative schedules will need to be implemented during days 5-10.

Student Close Contacts 

Students no longer need to isolate if they are:  

  • Asymptomatic and 
  • Over 18 and boostered/Under 18 and fully-vaccinated 
  • OR, they have tested positive for COVID-19 in the previous 90 days 

Students will;

  • Be diligent about mask-wearing outside of their bedroom
  • Continue with their programming (though programming will be curtailed/managed to take into consideration community transmission and the needs of the students) 
  • Have surveillance rapid tests during this period of time

Unvaccinated students who are close contacts are required to isolate for 5 days and monitor symptoms from days 5-10. 

Staff Close Contacts 

Staff no longer need to self-isolate if you live with a COVID-positive individual provided you are:  

  • Asymptomatic 
  • Boostered 
  • Have tested positive for COVID-19 in the previous 90 days. 

 Staff will:

  • Self monitor for symptoms for 10 days
  • Be diligent about mask-wearing while at work
  • Maintain social distance during meals
  • Increase surveillance rapid antigen testing

If the staff member is supporting an unvaccinated student, alternative schedules will need to be implemented during days 5-10.

These updates do reduce the amount of time in isolation for students and time away from work for our staff, however, it is consistent with current guidance, and is a good risk mitigated approach for our organization.