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
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.
Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
'Summer of discontent': Federal unions vow to fight new 3-day a week office mandate
Federal unions are launching legal challenges and encouraging public sector workers to file "tens of thousands" of grievances over the new mandate requiring federal workers to return to the office at least three days a week in the fall.
Watch fighter jet pilots pummel fake enemy ship off coast of Philippines
The United States and Philippines held annual joint-training drills just off the Southeast Asian nation’s western coast on Wednesday. Military forces sunk a 'mock' enemy warship – the BRP Lake Caliraya, which was a decommissioned tanker made in China.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his head more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.
'Ozempic babies': Reports of surprise pregnancies raise new questions about weight loss drugs
Numerous women have shared stories of 'Ozempic babies' on social media. But the joy some experience in discovering pregnancies may come with anxiety about the unknowns.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
TSB concludes investigation into cause of London, Ont. freight train fire
More than two weeks after a freight train with several railcars ablaze rolled through the heart of the Forest City, the Transportation Safety Board (TSB) has concluded its investigation.
'I killed four people': Trial hears video evidence of Jeremy Skibicki at Winnipeg trial
“I killed four people,” alleged serial killer Jeremy Skibicki told two homicide detectives during a recorded interview played as evidence in his trial Wednesday.