Marius-Barbeau elementary school closed due to COVID-19 outbreak
A Herongate elementary school is closed on Friday because of an escalating COVID-19 outbreak.
Ottawa Public Health says École élémentaire catholique Marius-Barbeau is closed after evidence of the virus spreading to several different cohorts in the school.
"The whole school has been closed, out of an abundance of caution, as our investigation suggests that there is evidence of spread of COVID-19 to several cohorts in the school," said the health unit in a letter to parents/guardians, students and staff on Thursday.
"OPH will continue to work with the school to monitor the situation to ensure all appropriate outbreak measures are in place."
The school closure is the second one this week, after St. Benedict Elementary was shut down by OPH on Tuesday.
In a statement to CTV News Ottawa on Friday, the Conseil des ecoles catholiques du Centre-Est says the school is closed until Oct. 4, inclusively.
"Ottawa Public Health is currently assessing the situation to determine the exact opening date which could last up to a maximum of 10 days," said the CECCE.
In a letter to the school community, OPH says the duration of closure isn't known, but if cohorts can return earlier than 10 days, staff and families will be notified. OPH will contact parents/guardians directly if a child has been identified as a high-risk contact.
An outbreak at the school was first listed on OPH's dashboard on Sept. 14. According to the OPH dashboard, there are eight student cases and two staff cases at the school on Notting Hill Avenue.
The CECCE is reporting 22 active cases among students and staff at eight schools.
Ottawa Public Health declared an outbreak at St. Benedict Elementary School in Barrhaven, and ordered the school closed earlier this week. Cases were first identified in Kindergarten cohorts. One parent told CTV News Ottawa a positive test result was reported in her child's Grade 4 class.
As of Thursday, OPH reported 15 student cases at St. Benedict Elementary School.
With files from CTV News Ottawa's Josh Pringle
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Lanny McDonald and a few old Flames take the Stanley Cup on a surprise visit to the man who saved his life
The Stanley Cup was passing through town Friday, and Lanny Legend took it upon himself to take it for a surprise visit.
Bathroom break nearly derails $22 million project at city council meeting
A brief break during Wednesday's city council meeting in Saskatoon nearly cost the city dearly.
Chad Daybell sentenced to death for killing wife and girlfriend’s two children in jury decision
Jurors resumed deliberations Saturday on whether a man should be sentenced to death after being convicted days earlier of the murders of his wife and his girlfriend’s two youngest children in Idaho.
Robert Pickton stabbed with toothbrush and broken broom handle: victim's family
The family of one of Robert Pickton's victims says the convicted serial killer suffered an incredibly violent death at the hands of another inmate.
Father who killed one-year-old son with axe may be allowed to travel in southwestern Ontario
A Mennonite father who killed his one-year-old son with an axe may be allowed to travel to parts of southern Ontario in the coming months
'It feels like freedom': Why some Albertans like going nude in nature
Few people can say they accidentally purchased a nude beach — but Shelley can. When she saw a piece of land she could fondly remember camping on was up for sale, she inquired about it and ended up purchasing it. She soon found that there were already inhabitants on it.
This Calgary home has a giant tree in the middle, and it's for sale
There's a luxury 'tree home' for sale in Calgary.
China lands spacecraft on the moon amid growing space rivalry with U.S.
A Chinese spacecraft landed on the far side of the moon Sunday to collect soil and rock samples that could provide insights into differences between the less-explored region and the better-known near side.
Pedestrian dies after being hit by train in Brockville, Ont.
Brockville Police says a pedestrian has died following a collision with a train that was heading to Toronto.