More city schools now have cases of COVID-19 to report and two school are moving to virtual learning.
Lakehead Public Schools reports there are three positive cases reported at St. James Public School.
The board reports the Thunder Bay District Health Unit says there is no evidence the virus has spread in the school setting and it is not considered an outbreak.
The Thunder Bay Catholic District School Board tells us there is also an individual at Corpus Christi School that has tested positive for COVID-19.
The cohort at the school will remain home.
In addition the Catholic board indicates there is a second COVID-19 case at Pope John Paul II Senior Elementary School.
Parents and guardians of the affected group of students have already been contacted, and will hear from a public health nurse.
The case also affects two school bus cohorts, including one at St. Patrick High School.
Those students have also been notified.
The District Health Unit explains this latest case is not associated with the previous one at the school.
All impacted students will stay home and a thorough cleaning of the school is underway.
Meantime, COVID-19 is pushing two Lakehead Public schools to complete temporary virtual learning.
Thunder Bay’s District Health Unit is supporting the move by Kingsway Park Public School and Westgate CVI, to have all students learning from home as of Monday, February 22nd, for one week.
This period of time is subject to change, according to circumstances.
This decision is based on COVID-19 cases identified in both schools this past weekend, some cases within the school setting.
The school board adds this decision is not made lightly, knowing how it can impact families.
Most outbreaks don’t require a move to virtual learning, however each situation is based on individual assessment.
