Kami Kandola is assuring Yellowknifers there is no exposure risk to Covid-19 at St. Joseph School.
A letter to parents stating a YWCA NWT staff member involved in an after-school program at St. Joe's came into contact with someone who tested positive for Covid-19 was distributed Wednesday afternoon.
At a Wednesday night press conference Kandola has clarified that the letter, with Yellowknife Catholic Schools letterhead, was sent without her office's knowledge and the worker who had allegedly been exposed was in contact with the Gahcho Kue mine worker who initially tested positive but has since tested negative for Covid-19.
The YWCA worker has also tested negative.
“There is no risk to St. Joes,” said Kandola.
NNSL file photo
She explained that the letter being sent was essentially a miscommunication.
"We're investigating how that occurred and how we can do better," said Kandola. "What I can ask people is, prior to sending our letters or advice, you need to contact me directly because I can give direction and I can do a risk assessment and I can say this is not warranted."
The letter signed by principal Don Reid stated that public safety guidelines were being carefully followed in accordance to the directions by Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Kami Kandola and the staff member was being directed to self-isolate for 14 days and get tested.
Following today's incident, the chief public health officer cautioned against distributing notifications around Covid-19 without contacting her office first.
"I really am asking people, do not send direction or advice on your own," she said. "Please clarify with myself because I would know what the actual risk is."
– with reporting from Trevor Wright