UPDATE: St. John XXIII Catholic School closed due to variant of concern investigation

Update (2:30 p.m., Monday, Mar. 15, 2021):

At a press event on Monday, Mar. 15, 2021, Dr. Kieran Moore confirmed that the student has tested positive for a variant of concern.

Original Article:

St. John XXIII Catholic School is closed after a case of COVID-19 was identified at the school. KFL&A Public Health recommended the closure while they await results regarding whether or not the case is a variant of concern.

The school has moved to remote learning, according to the letter sent to families in the John XXIII Catholic School community.

“This will start slowly as staff who are in self isolation may not have all the tools at home to be up and running right away,” Principal Michael Muise said in the letter. “Please check your class D2L shell for messages and activities from your classroom teacher.”

“Public Health will be reaching out over the course of the coming days to (the class), the related staff and bus 261 cohort to do an assessment however please note due to the high volume of probable cases in the area this may be slower than normal process,” Mr. Muise continued. “More information will be provided when available.”

Last week’s outbreak at Queen’s University is said to be linked to this closure. In a video released on Sunday, Mar. 14, 2021, Dr. Kieran Moore indicated that there was exposure in the community through a swimming lesson where contact occurred between the John XXIII student and one of those infected Queen’s University students.

Everyone is reminded to continue to monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 and screen children daily as most cases of COVID-19 are acquired in the home setting.