LONDON

COVID-19 outbreak declared at London's Sir Arthur Currie PS, new case at Mary Wright PS

Matt Thompson CTV News London Assignment Editor

Published Monday, October 12, 2020 1:27PM EDT Last Updated Monday, October 12, 2020 3:28PM EDT

Sir Arthur Currie P.S. is seen in this undated photo. (Facebook: Sir Arthur Currie PS School Council)

Text:

LONDON, ONT. -- The Middlesex-London Health Unit (MLHU) has declared a COVID-19 outbreak at London's Sir Arthur Currie Public School.

A second case of the virus by a member of the school community was identified by the health unit Sunday.

The first case was reported at the northwest London school on Oct. 9.

Officials say the two cases are associated with each other and there is evidence of transmission.

"The declaration of an outbreak in this situation was a critical step in taking the necessary steps to address the spread of coronavirus within this school community,” says Dr. Chris Mackie, Medical Officer of Health.

“This is not an indication of widespread illness at the school. All contacts of the cases have been notified directly.”

The school will remain open for classes Tuesday. Only close contacts of the infected cases will be restricted from attending school.

Meanwhile, the MLHU is also reporting a single case at Mary Wright Public School in Strathroy.

Due to privacy concerns, the MLHU will release further details about the case, or the number of close contacts at the school.

Health unit investigators are following up with all close contacts. They are being advised to stay home and self-quarantine.

That school will also remain open and school buses will continue to operate as normal.

“Thames Valley is following all health and safety protocols recommended by both the public health unit and the Ministry of Education,” says Mark Fisher, Director of Education for the Thames Valley District School Board.

All confirmed active cases will be tracked on the board's website.

The health unit has the following recommendations to minimize the spread of the virus:

Stay home from work or school if you become ill.
Ensure close contact is limited to those in your household. If you live alone, consider having close contact with one other household.
Maintain 2 metres physical distance from anyone who is not in your household.
Wear a mask no matter where you are, or what you are doing (leaving the house, going to the store, interacting with colleagues at work or in the breakroom).
Avoid non-essential travel to the Greater Toronto Area, Ottawa, Quebec City and Montreal.
Only visit an Assessment Centre to get tested if you have symptoms of COVID-19, have been contacted by the Health Unit or received notification through the COVID Alert app of close contact with a confirmed case.
Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for 15-20 seconds or use a waterless hand sanitizer with at least 70 percent alcohol content.
Cover coughs and/or sneezes with your sleeve or cough into your elbow.
Clean high-touch areas, such as doorknobs in public spaces, frequently.
Download the COVID Alert mobile app to be notified if you may have been exposed to COVID19, and to let others know if you test positive for the virus.