Ontario Schools Got 21 More Cases Of COVID-19 In A Single Day

Cases are trickling in as students return to class. Ontario’s COVID-19 cases in schools rose again today, with the province reporting 21 more infections. This brings the total number to 62.

Of the 21 new cases, five are among students, four are among staff, and 12 of them are from unidentified individuals, as per Ontario's tracking tool.

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The announcement added 10 new schools to the list, bringing the total to 51.

In addition to these, the province has reported two new cases in childcare centres, bringing the total in childcare facilities to 72.

While there are several classrooms reporting infections, these do not necessarily indicate outbreaks.

In order to declare an outbreak, there have to be two or more lab-confirmed cases, with one of them being potentially contracted within the school.

Additionally, if a student or teacher tests positive, it doesn’t necessarily mean that everyone will be notified.

Parents will only be contacted if the public health unit deems your child at close risk of exposure.

Just yesterday, Fellowes High School in Pembroke was forced to close their doors after declaring an outbreak with three confirmed cases.

Students will continue their lessons online until the school reopens.

Premier Doug Ford's government has received criticism for their handling of Ontario's back-to-school transition, especially regarding class sizes.

A petition that demanded reduced class sizes in Ontario has gotten over 100,000 signatures.

Teachers have even taken to Instagram to show that with large class sizes, physical distancing is extremely difficult.

Ford maintains that his government has the best back-to-school plan in the country.

"Our plan to safely reopen schools has been informed by the best medical and scientific minds in the country," a spokesperson for Education Minister Stephen Lecce told Narcity.