Number of York Region schools currently closed due to COVID-19 rises to 10

97 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in YRDSB, 39 cases in YCDSB as of March 17

Yorkregion.com
March 18, 2021
Scarlett Liu

Another Catholic elementary school, Notre Dame CES in Newmarket, has been closed because of COVID-19, with two confirmed cases and one closed classroom.

As of March 17, 10 public schools in York Region District School Board and York Catholic District School Board have been closed.

Situations may vary from school to school; for example, there are five confirmed cases of COVID-19 at Ellen Fairclough Public School in Markham, but the school remains open, while St. James CES has been closed, with only one confirmed case.

"School closures are dependent on the numbers involved in a given school and the capacity of the school administration to adequately staff for the remaining students," Patrick Casey, director, corporate communications for York Region, said.

In an email response, Casey explained that a case could be associated with a school without causing a cohort dismissal or school closure "if a case did not attend school during their period of infectivity or while symptomatic".

Meanwhile, a case can also be associated with a school and require a cohort dismissal or a closure "if there is concern for exposures or other high-risk contacts".

"No matter what the situation is, York Region Public Health will work closely with York Region school boards and local schools to support them with any and all COVID-19 case and contact management," Casey added.

One more case was reported at Woodbridge College March 17; the total confirmed cases there has risen to 30. The school has been closed from March 10.

Two other schools in Vaughan also have new cases of COVID-19.

Maple High School reported another two new cases of the virus, bringing the total confirmed cases to five, and Tommy Douglas Secondary School has one new case and two in total.

Markham District High School and St. Matthew Catholic Elementary School in Markham each have a new case of COVID-19.

Silver Pines Public School in Richmond Hill reported two new cases and has five confirmed cases in total.

In addition, York Catholic District School Board office reported a new confirmed case of COVID-19 and the facility remains open.

People who had contact with the cases will be communicated with directly by York Region Public Health. York Region District School Board and York Catholic District School Board will make sure that all appropriate measures are being taken.

For up-to-date information on active cases in York Region, please see the map of COVID-19 cases, closed classes and outbreaks in York Region schools and child-care centres.

Public Health reminds students and families not to enter school if they are feeling sick or have had close contact with a confirmed case or with someone who is showing symptoms of COVID-19.