8 Toronto Schools Are Now Dealing With COVID-19 Virus Variant Cases

Several schools are now responding to at least one COVID-19 case linked to a variant of concern (VOC) in Toronto.

The city's public health unit announced on Wednesday that eight Toronto schools have now been impacted by a positive or probable VOC case.

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These schools are Danforth Collegiate and Technical Institute, Beverley School, Yeshiva Yesodei Hatorah, Gulfstream Public School, The Toronto Cheder, Helen Catholic School, Dante Alighieri Academy, and Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School.

Toronto Public Health states that all affected individuals have been contacted and temporarily dismissed. All close contacts and those at risk of exposure have also been contacted.

As of now, all eight schools remain open with increased safety measures, including coordinated testing, daily screening, social distancing, and mask usage.

As of Wednesday, the City of Toronto has reported 72 VOC-linked cases of COVID-19.

Toronto has been on high alert to contain the spread of VOC, however, Medical Officer of Health Dr. Eileen de Villa says that they continue to pose a significant threat. 

She said on Wednesday that an additional 200 cases were being screened for VOC, an uptick from the previous week.

"The screened positive total marches upward daily. That should be a matter of concern to all of us."