Corpus Christi class has at least seven positive COVID cases

Other students at school low-risk, health unit says

A third school outbreak of COVID-19 has been declared in Windsor.

At least seven people in a single classroom at Corpus Christi Catholic Middle School's Central Park Athletics Campus have tested positive for the novel coronavirus, the Windsor-essex County Health Unit announced on Wednesday.

The cohort of 24 students was dismissed and told to self-isolate on Nov. 25 after one case was confirmed. The outbreak is currently limited to that cohort, the health unit said in a news release.

The entire class is considered high risk for exposure to COVID-19. The health unit is working with the Windsor-essex Catholic District School Board to manage the outbreak, further limit the spread of infection and ensure measures continue to be in place to protect students and employees.

All other students and staff are considered low risk and can continue to attend school, the health unit said. They are all advised to monitor themselves for COVID-19 symptoms and contact their health-care provider and an assessment centre if they do develop symptoms.

“It is essential for the students to self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms every day. If you have any symptoms, go get tested,” said Dr. Wajid Ahmed, medical officer of health for Windsor-essex.

The school has already sent parents and guardians a notice about the outbreak, which includes additional public health guidance.

“The health and safety of students and staff at Corpus Christi Catholic Middle School, Central Park Athletics Campus community remains our top priority,” said Terry Lyons, director of education with WECDSB. “We will continue to work with public health to keep the school community informed about the outbreak and implement all necessary additional health and safety measures to clean and disinfect of the school”

In Ontario, a school outbreak is declared if there are two or more cases in a school and there is evidence that at least one case could have been infected while in the school setting.

F. W. Begley Public School and W. J. Langlois Catholic Elementary School are also experiencing COVID-19 outbreaks. All staff and students at both schools were dismissed and told to self-isolate for 14 days.