Toronto investigating first case of Omicron variant in a school
Toronto Public Health is investigating its first school case of the new Omicron variant in Scarborough.
Few details have been released, but officials say the case was identified at Precious Blood Catholic School, located near Lawrence and Pharmacy avenues.
It is not known if the case is in a student or a staff member.
Close contacts of the individual have been identified, officials said, and have been asked to self-isolate, check for symptoms and get a COVID-19 PCR test.
"Given the emergence of this new variant & the ongoing transmission of the Delta variant, it's more important than ever to get vaccination if you haven't already," Toronto Public Health said in a tweet. "We thank residents and our school communities for doing their part to keep each other safe."
Precious Blood Catholic School was closed to in-person learning in early November after 13 COVID-19 cases were identified. According to the Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB) at the time, 11 of the infections were among students and two were among staff.
Just under half were identified using take-home PCR tests.
The TCDSB website shows there is one active case in a student as of Dec. 3. The school remains open.
In a statement to CP24, the Toronto Catholic District School Board said they were informed of the investigation into a possible Omicron case Monday night.
“Students, staff, and any impacted individuals who may have been exposed have been asked to stay home and self-isolate. The school remains open,” TCDSB Spokesperson Shazia Vlahos said. “Students and staff who do not receive direction from TPH to self-isolate can continue to attend school based on the results of daily screening. We continue to work with TPH during this ongoing investigation.”
The news comes just hours after public health officials said they have declared an outbreak in six additional schools after two or more COVID-19 cases were identified and linked within those settings.
The six schools include Branksome Hall, Dewson Street Junior Public School, Michael Power Saint Joseph High, Holy Angels Catholic School, Maurice Cody Junior Public School and Prince of Peace Catholic School.
"We're carefully investigating and following our process of working w/our school community to notify close contacts & ask them to stay home, monitor for symptoms and get tested," officials said on social media.
As of Monday, Ontario officials have confirmed at least 13 cases of the Omicron variant in the province. One of those cases was reported in Toronto while three additional cases are in Durham, two are in Peel and one is in York.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Chemical spill could be cause of stinky water in Puslinch, Ont., new report says
People living in Puslinch, Ont. may have the answer to why their water smelled so bad last year.
Maple Leafs eliminated from NHL playoffs with Game 7 OT loss to Bruins
Sheldon Keefe told his players hockey history would remember them one way or another.
Trudeau 'absolutely' best person to lead the Liberals in next election: LeBlanc says
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc insists he's not planning a leadership campaign to head the Liberal party, should current leader and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau resign, seemingly quashing rumours he's planning to make a move for his boss' job.
opinion You don't need to be an influencer to earn income from social media
How legitimate are claims by some content creators that the average person can earn passive income from social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram? Personal finance columnist Christopher Liew says it's quite possible, if you're willing to put in the initial time and effort.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
Ukraine marks its third Easter at war as it comes under fire from Russian drones and troops
As Ukraine marked its third Easter at war, Russia on Sunday launched a barrage of drones concentrated in Ukraine's east, wounding more than a dozen people, and claimed its troops took control of a village they had been targeting.
London Drugs begins 'gradual reopening' on 7th day after cyberattack
Almost a week after all London Drugs stores across Western Canada abruptly closed amid a cyberattack, they began a "gradual reopening" on Saturday.
‘Love has no boundaries’: Sask. couple in their 90s and 80s get married
Eighty-two-year-old Susan Neufeldt and 90-year-old Ulrich Richter are no spring chickens, but their love blossomed over the weekend with their wedding at Pine View Manor just outside of Rosthern.
What a judge's gag order on Trump means in his hush money case
A gag order bars Trump from commenting publicly on witnesses, jurors and some others connected to the matter. The New York judge already has found that Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee for president, repeatedly violated the order, fined him US$9,000 and warning that jail could follow if he doesn't comply.