A New Liskeard school is moving to virtual learning after more than half its students were exposed to COVID-19.
Conseil scolaire catholique de district des Grandes Rivieres (CSCDGR) and the Timiskaming Health Unit sent a letter to Ecole catholique St-Michel families today announcing the move to virtual learning from Wednesday, Dec. 15 to the Christmas Break.
Over 60 per cent of students at the school are absent due to a COVID-19 exposure, according to the letter. There is also a lack of supply staff that's creating operational safety issues and increasing evidence of COVID-19 in the community. The board says the school is safe for learning and the in-school spread is minimal
Remaining students at the school are being sent home with their devices today and teachers will contact families about the online classroom schedule.
Parents who haven't received their child's rapid antigen test kits can stop by the school Dec. 15-17 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Parents may also pick up their children's devices at these times.
An outbreak was declared at the school yesterday. So far, the province is reporting four student cases at the school.
To date in the Timiskaming Health Unit region, there have been 451 confirmed COVID-19 cases. Of those, 403 are resolved and three people have died. There are 45 known active cases.
