Eight schools in Toronto have confirmed cases of the COVID-19 variants of concern among at least one student or staff.
On Wednesday evening, Toronto Public Health said that are working with schools in which at least one individual has screened positive for a COVID-19 variant of concern.
To date eight Toronto schools have at least one case, they include: Beverley School, Danforth Collegiate and Technical Institute, Yeshiva Yesodei Hatorah, Gulfstream Public School, The Toronto Cheder, St. Helen Catholic School, Dante Alighieri Academy, and Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School.
“The affected individuals and cohorts have been dismissed from school with guidance based on their level of risk. TPH has followed up with close contacts in affected class cohorts and has recommended testing,” the City said.
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Currently, a number of enhanced measures have been recommended for the schools such as, COVID-19 targeted testing, daily screening for staff and students, placing students in cohorts, providing infection prevention and control advice, physical distancing, masks to worn inside, and washing hands often.
Variants of concern spread faster with a transmission rate 56% more than the regular COVID-19 strain.
Earlier on Wednesday, Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health Dr. Eileen de Villa said there are 72 confirmed variants of concern cases in the city, with over 500 being screened.
At de Villa’s request to the province, Toronto will remain under the Stay at Home orders until at least March 8—her reason being the variants and lack of mass vaccination.
In the last two weeks there have been 623 reported COVID-19 cases from Ontario schools, with 16 schools closing in the last month.