THUNDER BAY – A COVID-19 outbreak at the St. Ann School has grown to 18 cases, the Thunder Bay District Health Unit reported Friday.
That’s an additional 13 cases since the health unit declared the outbreak on Nov. 26, three days after the first case was reported there.
That led the health unit to recommend asymptomatic testing for students and staff beyond the cohorts where cases have already been confirmed. Those in impacted cohorts were previously contacted and directed to be tested.
Superior North EMS will offer testing at the Westfort elementary school on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Members of the school community can book appointment times online.
“This is a voluntary testing event and you are not obliged to participate,” wrote medical officer of health Dr. Janet DeMille. “We do encourage you to get tested. Getting tested will assist with TBDHU’s investigation to detect any undetected spread of the virus as well as to support a safe return to in-person learning.”]
St. Ann is one of numerous local schools grappling with COVID-19 cases, as Thunder Bay experiences an overall spike in cases, with 127 active as of Friday.
In a statement Friday, the Thunder Bay Catholic District School Board said the majority of school cohorts were expected to return to school on Monday.
