Toronto investigating first Omicron variant case at Scarborough elementary school

Toronto Public Health (TPH) is investigating the first school-related Omicron variant case at an elementary school in Scarborough.

Officials say the positive case was confirmed at Precious Blood Catholic School on Pharmacy Avenue.

TPH says it has followed up with close contacts and has asked them to self-isolate, check for symptoms, get tested, and only return to work and other activities when their self-isolation period ends.

“Given the emergence of this new variant and the ongoing transmission of the Delta variant, it’s more important than ever to get vaccination, if you haven’t already.”

1/5: TPH is currently investigating TO's first school case of Omicron at Precious Blood Catholic School.

— Toronto Public Health (@TOPublicHealth) December 7, 2021

In a statement to CityNews, a spokesperson for the Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB) says they were made aware of the positive variant case on Monday night.

“Students, staff and any impacted individuals who may have been exposed have been asked to stay home and self-isolate. The school remains open,” Shazia Vlahos, Chief of Communications and Government Relations for TCDSB, said in an email.

“Students and staff who do not receive direction from TPH to self-isolate can continue to attend school based on the results of daily screening. We continue to work with TPH during this ongoing investigation.”

On Nov. 7, Precious Blood Catholic School was forced to close its doors to in-person learning after TPH confirmed a COVID-19 outbreak with more than a dozen cases.

The province saw 178 new COVID-19 cases in schools on Monday with 162 student-related infections. There are now over 800 schools with at least one recorded case and six active school closures, including a recent one in Toronto.

Meanwhile, the Middlesex-London Health Unit (MLHU) said Monday they’re investigating a “cluster” of COVID-19 cases in London, Ont., that they say have a “strong probability” of testing positive for the Omicron variant.

The health unit said the number of high-risk close contacts of the suspected Omicron cluster is expected to surpass 100.

TPH announced on Dec. 3 it was investigating the cases of three Toronto residents who tested positive for the Omicron variant of concern. Two individuals recently returned from travel from Nigeria, while another individual recently returned from Switzerland, officials said.

With files from Dilshad Burman of CityNews