With local school and youth COVID-19 cases creeping up in Simcoe County, local school boards and the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit have their eyes on the numbers.
Currently, there are 29 active COVID-19 cases being reported at Simcoe County schools as of 4 p.m. on Oct. 5.
New this afternoon is a new case and classroom closure at W.C. Little Elementary School in Barrie, adding to one active case and classroom closure previously reported at the school. At the Catholic board today, there is one new case and two classroom closures being reported at Holy Trinity Catholic High School in Bradford.
As of this morning, an outbreak at St. Marie of the Incarnation Catholic School in Bradford has ballooned from two cases yesterday to 10 today.
“We know there’s an outbreak at the school which means there is a link in transmission between people at the school,” said Pauline Stevenson, communications manager with the Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board.
In response to reports that students at the St. Marie are able to mingle cohorts during recess, Stevenson said the board does allow multiple cohorts to use the school yard during recess however one door is designated for entry and exit and the cohorts are staggered. Cohorts are also separated into designated areas within the yard. She said this practice is based on direction from the ministry of education and the health unit.
“It is different this year than it was last year,” she said. “It’s not a free-for-all out there... but it has been relaxed a little bit. There are more students out there during recess but they are in designated areas.”
Stevenson said the SMCDSB is currently in conversations with the health unit to consider protocol changes at their schools to prevent further and future spread of COVID-19.
“We most certainly are following all the health and safety protocols that were put forward,” she said. “When you see a rise in cases, or this many cases at one school, you have to take a look and see what we could or should be doing differently, and we’ll work with the health unit on that.”
When it comes to the possibility of closing a school, Stevenson said the Catholic board hasn’t yet had a school closure but they would be taking their lead from the health unit on decisions of that nature.
When reached for comment by Village Media, Dr. Colin Lee, associate medical officer of health with the health unit, said there are many factors involved when considering whether to close a school due to an outbreak.
“The SMDHU works closely with the schools to monitor overall situations. There is no specific number or threshold but rather a case by case assessment done in relation to control measures while also looking at overall risk,” said Lee. “At this time, although some outbreaks may have several cases, the transmission noted is low and control measures are currently working.”
Within the Catholic board, there are currently 23 active cases spread across seven schools.
Total current active cases in Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board schools include:
- Three cases at Monsignor Clair Catholic School in Barrie, with two classrooms closed
- Five cases at St. Ann's Catholic School in Penetanguishene, with two classrooms closed
- 10 cases at St. Marie of the Incarnation Catholic School in Bradford, with five classrooms closed
- One case at St. Teresa of Calcutta Catholic School in Bradford, with one classroom closed
- One case and two classroom closures at Holy Trinity Catholic High School in Bradford
- One case at St. Joseph's Catholic High School in Barrie, with two classrooms closed
- One case at St. Peter's Catholic Secondary School in Barrie
- One case at St. Theresa’s Catholic High School in Midland, with one classroom closed
The health unit declared a COVID-19 outbreak at Monsignor Clair Catholic School on Sept. 22, and at St. Ann’s and St. Marie of the Incarnation on Oct. 1, which are all still active.
At the Simcoe County District School Board, there are currently six active cases spread across five schools:
- Hewitt's Creek Public School in Barrie is reporting one new case and classroom closure today.
- Portage View Public School in Barrie is reporting one new case and classroom closure.
- Trillium Woods Elementary School in Barrie is reporting one case and classroom closure.
- Willow Landing Elementary School in Barrie is reporting one case and classroom closure.
- Two cases and two classroom closures at W.C. Little Elementary School in Barrie
An outbreak was declared by the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit at W.C. Little Elementary School on Sept. 28, and is still active.
