COVID-19 outbreak declared at J. G. Simcoe Public School
Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington (KFL&A) Public Health has declared a COVID-19 outbreak at James Graves (J. G.) Simcoe Public School, located in Kingston’s Rideau Heights neighbourhood.
According to KFL&A Public Health, there are two cases involved in the outbreak, both of which are active. While two student cases were detected at the school on Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2021, it appears those cases have since resolved. The cohort with those two students was put in isolation following the detection of these cases, but an outbreak was not declared, as transmission did not occur at the school. The Limestone District School Board (LDSB)’s list of active COVID-19 cases within its schools also lists one student case being detected on Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, however, that cohort associated with that student was already in isolation. The school remained open, and an outbreak was not declared, again because transmission did not occur at the school.
Then, on Monday, Oct. 25, another student case was detected at J. G. Simcoe. Upon listing this case, the LDSB indicated the cohort “is being investigated but is not required to isolate at this time. This fourth case does not constitute an outbreak as transmission did not occur at school. The school remains open.”
Today, in disclosing all of the cases within the LDSB (which includes another outbreak taking place at R. G. Sinclair Public School) detected this week, the board addressed this second outbreak.
“KFL&A Public Health has declared an outbreak of COVID-19 at J.G. Simcoe Public School. This outbreak is related to spread in the Grade 1/2 class that was already isolating. Although there are currently five positive cases in students at the school, only two are outbreak related. The school remains open and safe,” the LDSB said in a press release on Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2021, along with a notice from Public Health, which was sent out to the school community.
Besides the outbreaks, the following are the active COVID-19 cases within the LDSB that were disclosed today:
KFL&A Public Health has identified one student at Rideau Heights Public School on Oct. 27, 2021: One class has been dismissed and is isolating and following direction from public health. The school remains open.
KFL&A Public Health has identified one staff member at Loyalist Collegiate & Vocational Institute on Oct. 27, 2021: One class has been dismissed and is isolating and following direction from public health. The school remains open.
KFL&A Public Health has identified one student at Lord Strathcona Public School on Oct. 27, 2021: One class has been dismissed and is isolating and following direction from public health. The school remains open.
“KFL&A Public Health works closely with schools to ensure that necessary steps are taken to prevent further spread of the virus both in the school and the community. All families should continue to monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 and screen students daily as most cases of COVID-19 are acquired in the home setting,” the board communicated to the media.
“Cases in schools must be reported locally and provincially. We are sharing this information with you to ensure you have accurate information. No further information will be released to maintain privacy. Please visit the COVID-19 Confirmed Cases webpage for a list of current cases.”
There are currently 20 active cases at schools within the LDSB, according to the Board.