Spike in Edmonton-area schools on respiratory outbreak: AHS

The number of Edmonton-area schools on respiratory outbreak jumped drastically in the past week, with several students out sick.

As of Friday, Alberta Health Services says there were 65 schools on outbreak. That’s up from 22 last week – a 195 per cent increase.

In the Calgary zone, there are 14 schools on outbreak. There are five in the Central zone, 12 in the North zone and two in the South zone.

“Our pediatric emergency departments are very busy, and we urge people to take necessary precautions to limit the spread of these illnesses,” said AHS spokesperson Kerry Williamson.

While an increase in respiratory illnesses is expected over the winter, AHS says it is “experiencing more cases than we normally would at this time of year.”

AHS believes the sharp increase in respiratory outbreaks is due to illnesses being “effectively suppressed over the past two years due to COVID restrictions” and “parents keeping their children home when sick more now than in the past.”

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An outbreak means a school has at least 10 per cent total absenteeism.

“This is a normal process for schools; reporting student illness took place before the pandemic,” Edmonton Public Schools said in a statement. “When a school reaches the 10 per cent absenteeism threshold, health officials will work with the school to determine next steps.

“AHS decides when a school is placed on outbreak status and when that status is removed. Families receive a letter from AHS if their school is on outbreak status.”

Since the start of the school year, 45 EPSB schools have been on respiratory outbreak.

—With files from Carly Robinson