COVID-19 Outbreak Declared at North Park Collegiate
This afternoon (February 20), the Brant County Health Unit declared a COVID-19 outbreak at North Park Collegiate and Vocational School in Brantford.
As outlined in the Ministry of Education’s Operational Guidance, an outbreak is defined as two or more lab-confirmed COVID-19 cases in students and/or staff in a school with an epidemiological link, within a 14-day period, where at least one case could have reasonably acquired their infection in the school.
News of the third COVID-19 case at North Park Collegiate came today (February 20). The first two cases (not deemed an outbreak) were identified on Tuesday (February 16). North Park has approximately 1,000 students in Grades 9-12.
No additional cohorts at North Park Collegiate were dismissed by the Brant County Health Unit as a result of today’s outbreak as the impacted cohort was already in self-isolation.
Understandably, for privacy reasons, the identity of these COVID-19 cases will not be disclosed. These individuals have been directed by the health unit to self-isolate, along with any family members who reside in the same household.
North Park Collegiate remains open for those students and staff not required to self-isolate. Grand Erie custodians continue to complete their disinfecting of the school each night.
North Park Collegiate staff will work with students and families to ensure learning continues for those required to self-isolate. The school’s outbreak will be closely monitored and reported on by the Brant County Health Unit.
Grand Erie District School Board represents nearly 18,000 students in 58 elementary schools and more than 7,500 students in 14 secondary schools within the city of Brantford and the counties of Brant, Haldimand, and Norfolk as well as students from Six Nations of the Grand River and Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation.