THUNDER BAY -- Students in Thunder Bay will be studying at home for at least two more weeks.
Dr. Janet DeMille, the medical officer of health at the Thunder Bay District Health Unit, on Wednesday extended a recommendation that local boards keep students out of the classroom until the final week in March. Students at all boards have been learning remotely since March 1.
Affected boards include the Lakehead District School Board, Thunder Bay Catholic District School Board, CSDC des Aurores Boreales' Thunder Bay Schools and Lac des Mille Lacs Education Centre.
DeMille said the decision to extend the recommendation through March 28 was made in part because of the large number of cases in the city. Currently the district has 412 active cases.
"In-person instruction to students with special education needs who cannot be accommodated through remote learning and who wish to attend in-person instruction may continue," the health unit release reads.
Schools were closed to in-person learning in Thunder Bay on March 1 for a two-week period, which was scheduled to end on Monday.
The health unit said at this time, the recommendations do not apply to any school board or schools not listed above. They also do not apply to child-care centres, for children up to four years of age.
Prior to the March 1 shutdown, several outbreaks of COVID-19 had been declared in local schools.
