Gatineau student sent home from school after showing signs of COVID-19

CTV National News: Debates rage in Quebec The debate continues over schools resuming in Quebec after a child with symptoms was sent home. Genevieve Beauchemin has the latest.

GATINEAU, QC. — A student at a Gatineau elementary school was sent home after arriving to class Wednesday with a symptom associated with COVID-19, the school's principal says.

In a letter to parents, that was posted publicly on Lord Aylmer Elementary School's Facebook page, Principal Eldon Keon says the student was isolated right away after teachers notified the office.

The child was picked up and brought home and will remain there until 24 hours after symptoms resolve.

The letter does not say which symptom the child had and there is no confirmation that the student has COVID-19. The disease carries symptoms similar to other seasonal illnesses like cold or flu and some seasonal allergies.

"We will be following up similarly for all cases involving students or staff who experience one or more symptoms of COVID-19," Keon said in the letter.

The Western Quebec School Board would not comment about the specifics of the case, but told CTV News the principal followed guidelines to the letter.

In a statement to CTV News, Quebec's ministry of health said it is recommended anyone with COVID-related symptoms be isolated.

"Public Health makes its recommendation and requests that the person with symptom(s) be placed in isolation. The person must monitor his or her symptoms. If the person's condition requires screening, and the screening is positive, an epidemiological investigation is conducted promptly and contact cases will be notified."

Quebec opened elementary schools outside of Montreal Monday, though the WQSB, of which Lord Aylmer is a part, didn't begin letting students back into class until Tuesday.

With files from CTV's Genevieve Beauchemin.