An elementary school in Woodstock, Ont. will close effective immediately out of an “abundance of caution,” after the region’s health unit declared a COVID-19 outbreak on Thursday.
Southwestern Public Health (SWPH) reported an outbreak at St. Michael’s Catholic Elementary School after it was made aware of three positive cases at the school. It’s the first school in the region to completely close due to active COVID-19 cases since classes reopened in February.
The decision to close the school was in part due to the cases affecting multiple classrooms, a spokesperson for the London District Catholic School Board (LDCSB) said in a statement Thursday evening.
“Since the cases affect staff in multiple different classrooms throughout the school as part of their regular duties, the LDCSB has made the decision to temporarily close the school, effective immediately,” LDCSB spokesperson Mark Adkinson said in an email.
“This decision to temporarily close the school was made out of an abundance of caution to help ensure the health, safety and well-being of all 400-plus students and staff at the school,” he said.
St. Michael’s will be closed until at least March 24, Adkinson said. In the meantime, students will continue learning remotely.
SWPH is looking into the cases at this time and will be providing advice and support to the school community. The health unit had nine active COVID-19 cases, as of Thursday.
