COVID-19 outbreak forces St. Patrick school in Schomberg to close for week

YCDSB says decision to temporarily shift to online learning 'was not made lightly'

Yorkregion.com
Nov. 10, 2021
Dina Al-Shibeeb

After a COVID-19 outbreak, St. Patrick Catholic Elementary School in Schomberg has pivoted to remote learning from Nov. 8 to Nov. 12.

As of Nov. 9, St. Patrick had 17 cases of COVID-19. On Nov. 8, the day it closed to in-person learning, there were 15 COVID-19 cases among students and one staff member.

The planned return to in-person learning is set to be Nov. 15, York Catholic District School Board said.

The Catholic board described how its "decision was not made lightly and is the result of an outbreak being declared by York Region Public Health with multiple class cohorts having to self-isolate".

The decision was made in an "abundance of caution", the board said.

"As per provincial Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education guidance, a COVID-19 outbreak in a school setting is confirmed once it has been determined two or more individuals have tested positive with an epidemiological link," the board added.

YCDSB said that the school is "taking all appropriate steps for the health, safety and well-being of the school community" including physical distancing, increased hand hygiene, cohorting of classrooms, and enhanced cleaning or disinfection.