COVID-19 outbreaks declared at four Ottawa schools, 49 schools with cases
Ontario's education minister insists the government will do "anything and everything" required to ensure children remain in school this fall.
Just weeks into the school year, COVID-19 outbreaks have been declared at four Ottawa French language schools. On Friday, Ottawa Public Health reported a COVID-19 outbreak at École élémentaire catholique Franco-Cite.
As of Friday, there are active COVID-19 cases at 49 schools in Ottawa's four school boards, involving students and staff.
Education Minister Stephen Lecce told CTV News Ottawa that the province has spent more than $600 million on upgrades to ventilation in schools. Lecce also wouldn't rule out additional funding to keep kids in school.
"If it is recommended to elevate our already cautious protocol, I'm comfortable doing so," said Lecce, adding he is in constant communication with Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kieran Moore.
"We stand ready to do anything and everything required of us to ensure your child can remain in school and remain safe."
Lecce says mandatory masking, enhanced cleaning, new ventilation systems and screening for students and staff every day will help keep everyone safe in schools.
However, one medical expert says it is important to watch what is happening outside of schools.
"There's activity in the schools we're going to expect it," said Dr. Doug Manuel of the Ottawa Hospital. "Those cases will mimic what we see in the community. The question is will that transmission continue in schools."
Ottawa Public Health has declared COVID-19 outbreaks at four schools. The schools are:
- École élémentaire catholique de la Découverte – Two student cases
- École élémentaire publique Michaëlle-Jean – Four student cases
- École élémentaire catholique Marius-Barbeau – One student case, one staff case
- École élémentaire catholique Franco-Cite (Ottawa Public Health provided no details on the outbreak. The CECCE says there are five cases at the school, and seven classes are in isolation)
According to data posted on school board websites, COVID-19 cases have been reported at 49 schools across Ottawa.
COVID-19 CASES BY SCHOOL BOARD
Ottawa-Carleton District School Board
Last updated Sept. 17, 2021
- Active student cases: 15
- Active staff cases: 5
- Total classes closed due to COVID-19: 0
- Total cohorts closed due to COVID-19: 0
- Total schools closed due to COVID-19: 0
- Schools with active cases: eight elementary, eight secondary schools
Ottawa Catholic School Board
Last updated Sept. 17, 2021
- Active student cases: 16
- Active staff cases: 2
- Total classes closed due to COVID-19: 0
- Total cohorts closed due to COVID-19: 0
- Total schools closed due to COVID-19: 0
- Schools with active cases: Seven secondary schools, seven elementary schools
Conseil des écoles publiques de l'Est de l'Ontario
Last updated Sept. 17, 2021
- Active student cases: 6
- Active staff cases: 0
- Total classes closed due to COVID-19: 4
- Total cohorts closed due to COVID-19: 0
- Total schools closed due to COVID-19: 0
- Schools with active cases: Three secondary schools, one elementary school
(Thirteen COVID-19 cases within CEPEO schools have been resolved)
Conseil des écoles catholiques du Centre-Est
Last updated Sept. 17, 2021
- Active cases*: 27
- Total classes in isolation due to COVID-19: 41
- Partial school closures due to COVID-19: 3
- Schools closed due to full COVID-19 outbreak: 0
- Schools with active cases: 15 schools
*NOTE: The CECCE does not differentiate cases between students and staff.
(14 cases within CECCE schools have been resolved)
With files from CTV News Ottawa's Christina Succi
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Prince William says wife Kate is 'doing well'
Prince William said on Friday his wife Kate was 'doing well' in a rare public comment about the Princess of Wales as she undergoes preventative chemotherapy for cancer.
BREAKING Canadian Blood Services apologizes to LGBTQ2S+ community for discriminatory blood donation policy
Canadian Blood Services issued an apology on Friday to the LGBTQ2S+ community for what it now admits was a harmful and discriminatory blood donation policy that prevented sexually active men who have sex with men and some trans people from donating blood and plasma.
BREAKING 'Just wait': Toronto mayor hints that WNBA team is coming to the city amid multiple reports
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow says that she is hopeful an announcement could be made soon amid multiple reports that a WNBA team is coming to Toronto in 2026.
Magnitude 4.2 earthquake reported off Vancouver Island's west coast
A 4.2-magnitude earthquake was recorded west of Vancouver Island early Friday morning.
Ontario coroner to investigate death of man who suffered cardiac arrest while waiting in ER
A provincial coroner will be investigating the death of 68-year-old David Lippert, who suffered a cardiac arrest while waiting in a crowded emergency room in Kitchener, Ont.
'Irate male' assaulted Newfoundland officers with block of cheese, police say
Police in Newfoundland say patrol officers were assaulted Thursday by a "very irate male" wielding a block of cheese.
Dashcam video shows terrifying near-miss on two-lane northern Ontario highway
There were some scary moments for several people on a northern Ontario highway caught on video Thursday after a chain reaction following a truck fire.
Average hourly wage in Canada now $34.95: StatCan
Average hourly wages among Canadian employees rose to $34.95 on a year-over-year basis in April, a 4.7 per cent increase, according to a Statistics Canada report released Friday morning.
This iconic Canadian song is turning 50
Andy Kim's 'Rock Me Gently' is marking a major milestone, as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.