A southeast London public school is switching over to remote learning until after students return from the upcoming winter break due to COVID-19 concerns.
In a release issued by the Thames Valley District School Board Thursday evening, the board said it notified families of Princess Elizabeth Public School that students will transition to virtual learning starting on Friday until December 17, when schools head into a two-week break. Staff and students should return to in-person classes again following the break, on Monday, January 3, 2022.
"Board administration has determined that with an additional case being reported and investigated by the Middlesex-London Health Unit for suspected connection to the Omicron variant, school operations have begun to pose a challenge," a statement from the school board read.
On Monday, the TVDSB said it was investigating the possible presence of the COVID-19 Omicron variant at Princess Elizabeth. The next day, the health unit confirmed the newest strain, detected less than two weeks ago in Canada, had arrived in London-Middlesex. Genome sequencing on at least one case associated with a cluster of 40 people with close contacts spanning upwards of 170 people, detected the presence of the variant. MLHU officials also said the likelihood of all the cases being an Omicron cluster was very high.
Those identified as close contacts have been advised by the health unit to self-isolate. Since the announcement of the school closing came with short notice, parents and guardians who require technology to support their child's access to virtual learning materials are asked to contact the school for help. Classroom teachers will also follow up with additional information the school board said.
"The safety of all students, staff, and community members is a priority and decisions related to school closures are not made lightly," the statement added. "[MLHU] will be providing advice and support to the school community."
While the arrival of the Omicron variant has set off alarms in the region as not much yet is known about the mutation.
The variant was first reported to the World Health Organization [WHO] from South Africa on November 24. WHO later deemed it as a variant of concern based on some evidence that showed the Omicron variant has more than one mutation, which could potentially have an impact on how easily it spreads or the severity of the illness it causes.
Elsewhere in the region, the TVDSB recorded six new COVID-19 cases at five schools and one new school outbreak.
One of the cases was identified at Princess Elizabeth, and an outbreak was declared at Byron Northview P.S. There was two cases identified at F.D Roosevelt P.S. and solo cases were detected at Northdale Central P.S., and South Ridge P.S.
There are now five outbreaks at TVDSB schools in London. More details about each case can be found on the board's website.
