19 positive COVID-19 tests reported at Toronto school after asymptomatic testing

The Toronto District School Board has reported almost 20 COVID-19 cases at a school in East York, resulting in 14 classes being asked to self-isolate.

In a voluntary coronavirus test on asymptomatic individuals, Thorncliffe Park Public School found 18 students and one staff member tested positive for the virus.

A letter sent home to parents on Sunday had first reported 19 students and one staff member; however, according to a TDSB spokesperson, that was a false positive, bringing the total to 21 active cases.

“TPH is now completing their full investigation of these new cases,” according to the letter sent by Principal Jeff Crane.

“I know [the] news of these additional cases will, understandably, be worrisome for families. Classes associated with these cases have been asked to self-isolate. Since COVID-19 continues to spread in the community, finding additional cases in schools from broad testing is not unexpected at this time.”

According to the TDSB COVID-19 advisory page, as of November 30, the school remains open.

TDSB COVID-19 Advisory page

“It’s also important to keep in mind that the positivity rate within the school is approximately 4%, which is significantly less than the 16% positivity rate within the Thorncliffe Park community,” said Crane in the letter.

“This means that there is currently a higher percentage of people who test positive for COVID-19 in the community compared to in this school setting. As a result, TPH does not believe it is necessary to close the school at this time.”

Before students returned to school on Monday, Thorncliffe Park PS conducted a deep cleaning of the entire building.

The school also requires siblings to stay home if one child in the household has virus-related symptoms.