NDP CALLS FOR IMMEDIATE ACTION FROM UCP ON RISING NUMBER OF COVID-19 CASES IN SCHOOLS

EDMONTON – Alberta has recorded its highest number of COVID-19 cases among school-aged children and teens this week.

As of Thursday, Dr. Deena Hinshaw, Alberta’s chief medical officer of health, reported that there are 72 schools with outbreaks, including 14 on the “watch” list, meaning they have five or more cases.

According to CBC reports, higher rates of COVID-19 among school-aged children are not simply a result of increased testing but reflect higher numbers of positive cases among those who are tested.

“Premier Jason Kenney and Minister Adriana LaGrange have failed to increase support for schools. By refusing to act, they are putting students, school staff, and their families at risk of contracting this deadly virus and spreading it in their communities,” said NDP Official Opposition Critic for Education, Sarah Hoffman. “Once again, I am calling on the UCP to reduce class sizes, allowing for physical distancing. Student safety should be a higher priority than the UCP’s $4.7B giveaway to large profitable corporations that are laying off Alberta workers.”

So far, school transmissions have likely occurred in 27 schools, which is up from 11 schools a week earlier. Data from Alberta Health shows the number of new daily cases has continued to rise among five- to nine-year-olds and has shot up, especially, among 10- to 19-year-olds.