Ontario reports 3 school closings due to COVID outbreaks. This is what we know

Ontario is reporting 158 new COVID-19 cases in schools for a cumulative total of 2,178 cases since the start of the school year, according to the province’s latest report on Thursday.

There are 819 schools with a reported COVID-19 case out of 4,844 schools in the province, or 16.91 percent.

The province says three schools have closed due to outbreaks or operational considerations.

It does not include regional closures in a local public health unit area.

What schools are closed?

Monsignor Leo Cleary Catholic Elementary School in Courtice is closed, for at least two weeks, for in-person learning after the Durham Region Health Department (DRHD) declared an outbreak at school September 16.

Currently, Monsignor Leo Cleary has 15 cases of COVID-19 according to the Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board. website.

The school board says that anyone who attended school between Sept. 19 and Sept. 24 is still considered at risk of exposure and should monitor for signs and symptoms of COVID-19 for 10 days after their last day of attendance. to school.

DRHD strongly recommends that all staff and students get tested for COVID-19 to help identify additional cases at school.

He also closed a school on the Ottawa Catholic School Board. Ottawa Public Health has declared a COVID-19 outbreak at St. Benedict School in Nepean, which is currently closed to in-person learning and has switched to virtual learning.

St. Benedict School currently has a total of 13 cases according to the Ottawa Catholic School Board. website.

In a letter sent to parents, staff and students on Tuesday, Ottawa Public Health said: “The duration of the outbreak and the school closure is not yet known, but you should be prepared for a 10-day school closure. or more. If the cohorts can reopen sooner, OPH will update staff and families. “

The third school closure is in Lord Elgin Public School in London, Ontario. According to the Thames Valley District School Board website, the school currently has a total of 11 cases.

In a sentenceThe Thames Valley school board said the school was closed Wednesday and Lord Elgin students will temporarily transition from in-person learning to virtual learning until they return to school on October 5.

The Ministry of Health will not report COVID data on Thursday on the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation.

To find out if there are COVID cases in your child’s school, use Star’s tracking tool to search.