At 29 COVID-19 cases, York Region Public Health probes a ‘variant of concern’ at Vaughan school

Woodbridge College's COVID-19 cases recently has jumped from 20 to 29

Yorkregion.com
March 15, 2021
Dina Al-Shibeeb

Vaughan-based Woodbridge College saw its COVID-19 cases jump from 20 to 29 on Saturday, March 13.

The secondary school was already closed for in-person learning from March 10 until March 25.

Initially, a confirmed outbreak was declared on Sunday, March 7, when both York Region District School Board (YRDSB) and York Region Public Health issued an initial notification of exposure to the school’s parents and staff.

On March 10, the total number of confirmed cases was 20 after a surge of 12 cases.

“This school is currently experiencing two separate outbreaks simultaneously,” Patrick Casey, director of corporate communications, told Yorkregion.com.

“York Region Public Health is investigating a COVID-19 exposure, which has been identified as a variant of concern (VOC), at Woodbridge College Secondary School as well as an exposure from original strain COVID-19,” Casey further elaborated.

Casey gave assurances to families.

“We recognize this information may be concerning for families and staff,” he continued. “We want to assure you we are working in partnership with YRDSB and taking all appropriate steps for the health, safety and well-being of the school community.”

Citing the presence of “the new COVID-19 variants in our community,” Casey urged residents to “follow all of the public health guidelines; in particular, ensure you keep a two-metre distance and any encounters with people outside your household should be kept as brief as possible.”

He added, “Please remain home if you are sick.”

The decision to close the school for in-person learning wasn’t “made lightly,” and it’s “related to operational needs of the school following the ongoing COVID-19 investigation.”

“The Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) measures currently being implemented in schools and child-care settings are the same measures that will help reduce the spread of these new variants.”

The other YRDSB school closed for in-person learning is Lorna Jackson P.S., which has only one confirmed case of COVID-19. It will reopen on March 24.