The Timiskaming Health Unit has declared a COVID-19 outbreak at a New Liskeard school.
It is at École secondaire catholique Sainte-Marie. The announcement does not say how many cases have been confirmed at the school. The last day of school before the Christmas holidays was Friday.
An outbreak is declared if there are at least two linked, lab-confirmed cases in students, staff, or other visitors at a school within a 14-day period "where at least one case could have reasonably acquired their infection in the school," according to the health unit.
“Although this matter is being managed by the Timiskaming Health Unit, we are working closely with them on this situation and are grateful for their expertise. We would like to thank our staff, students and families for their collaboration in helping to limit the spread in our community," said Annik Boucher, ESCSM principal, in a news release.
There has been a spike in cases in the Timiskaming region this month.
Since the start of the pandemic, there have been 39 confirmed cases of the virus in the region. There have been 21 positive tests so far this month. There are 14 known active cases.
This is the second outbreak to be declared in the district in the past week. Friday, an outbreak was declared at a Kirkland Lake long-term care home after a staff member tested positive.
“Having a school outbreak has added to the increasing concern of our recent number of cases and shows just how fast COVID can move, and again, is why we must continue to practice all public health measures,” said Dr. Glenn Corneil, acting medical officer of health and CEO for the Timiskaming Health Unit, in a news release.
“When an outbreak like this occurs it is imperative that public health gets the information they need to begin investigations and contact tracing as soon as possible, the support and cooperation we have had from ESCSM has helped us to act quickly as we move through the outbreak management process.”
With the increase in cases, the region is moving into the yellow restriction zone effective Monday, Dec. 21.
It is expected the entire province will enter into a lockdown Christmas Eve.
There are assessment centres in the areas of Temiskaming Shores, Englehart, Kirkland Lake, and Temagami. Testing is by appointment only.
The health unit's COVID-19 line phone number is 705-647-4305 ext. 7 or 1-866-747-4305 ext. 7. It is open on weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and on weekends from 9 a.m. to noon.
