THUNDER BAY — An individual associated with Whitefish Valley Public School in Hymers, southwest of Thunder Bay, has tested positive for COVID-19.
The person is not a student, is currently at home, and is being monitored by the Thunder Bay District Health Unit.
In an announcement late Wednesday afternoon, the Lakehead District School Board said the individual "was at school during the time they were infectious," but students, staff and community members "are not at an elevated risk at this time."
The board said the health unit initiated a comprehensive public health investigation of the case to assess possible exposures, in close cooperation with the school and the Lakehead District School Board.
All students and staff, it said, can continue to attend school in-person, but people are urged to continue to use the provincial screening tool for COVID-19 prior to attending school every day.
Health and school board officials will continue to monitor the situation for the next two weeks.
Number of active cases across Northwestern Ontario reaches 62
The Northwestern Health Unit is reporting one new positive COVID-19 test result, bringing the total number of active cases in the NWHU and Thunder Bay District Health unit jurisdictions to 62.
The individual resides in the NWHU's Kenora region.
In a statement Wednesday afternoon, the health unit said follow-up with the person and their contacts has started, according to protocol.
There are currently 10 active cases in the NWHU coverage area.
Earlier Wednesday, the Thunder Bay District Health Unit reported three new cases, including one which required the hospitalization of the patient.
It also released some details about a case at Southbridge Roseview long-term care, where a staff member tested positive, resulting in an outbreak being declared in one section of the nursing home.
There are now 52 active cases in the TBDHU coverage area, mainly due to a surge in positive test results over the past two weeks related to pickleball facilities and two supportive housing facilities in Thunder Bay.
Provincial officials are expected to decide Friday whether to move the Thunder Bay area from the lowest (green zone) within Ontario's COVID-19 response framework to the yellow zone.
Under the framework, this would result in some additional restrictions, "enhanced targeted enforcement, fines, and enhanced education to limit further transmission" of the virus.
Correction: A previous version of this story stated that the announcement of the case at Whitefish Valley Public School was made by the TBDHU. The announcement was actually made by the Lakehead District School Board.
