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
BREAKING Baby and grandparents killed in wrong-way crash involving police on Ontario's Highway 401
An infant and the child's grandparents – aged 55 and 60 – were all killed when a vehicle being pursued by police in the wrong direction on Highway 401 in Whitby, Ont. caused a crash involving at least six vehicles, the Special Investigations Unit says. The driver of the suspect vehicle also died.
Judge holds Trump in contempt, fines him US$9,000 and raises threat of jail in hush money trial
Donald Trump was held in contempt of court Tuesday and fined US$9,000 for repeatedly violating a gag order that barred him from making public statements about witnesses, jurors and some others connected to his New York hush money case. If he does it again, the judge warned, he could be jailed.
McGill requests 'police assistance' over pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University says it has 'requested police assistance' about the pro-Palestinian encampment on its lower field.
New cancer treatment approved, but not everyone thinks it's what's best for patients
A new cancer treatment recently approved in Canada promises to cut treatment time down to just minutes, but experts have differing opinions on whether it's what's best for patients.
Air Canada walks back new seat selection policy change after backlash
Air Canada has paused a new seat selection fee for travellers booked on the lowest fares just days after implementing it.
Province boots mayor and council in small northern Ont. town out of office
An ongoing municipal strike, court battles and revolt by half of council has prompted the province to oust the mayor and council in Black River-Matheson.
This is how many dentists have actually signed up for Canada's new free dental program
A new Canadian dental care program is offering the hope of free care to millions, but while 1.7 million people have signed up for the plan, only about 5,000 dentists have done the same.
Sword-wielding man attacks passersby in London, killing a 13-year-old boy and injuring 4 others
A man wielding a sword attacked members of the public and police officers in a east London suburb early Tuesday, killing a 13-year-old boy and injuring four others, authorities said.
Police searching for 'armed man' in Dartmouth, N.S., residents asked to shelter in place
Residents in the area of Gaston Road in Dartmouth, N.S., are being asked to shelter in place as police search for an armed suspect.