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COVID-19 outbreak declared at Bradford high school

This is the third confirmed case at the school since it reopened in September, and first confirmed case of spread at a school in Simcoe County
09-18-2019-bdhs2
Bradford District High School. Natasha Philpott/BradfordToday

Another positive case of COVID-19 has been confirmed at Bradford District Secondary School in Bradford, leading to the health unit to declare an outbreak at the school. 

This is the third confirmed case since the school reopened in September, the first reported on Sept. 28, and the second reported on Oct. 25. This is the first recorded instance in Simcoe County of COVID-19 being spread through school contacts.

"An outbreak is defined as two or more lab-confirmed COVID-19 cases in students and/or staff (or other visitors) with an epidemiological link (i.e.
shared space or objects with each other), within a 14-day period, where at least one case could have contracted COVID-19 in the school (including transportation and before/after school care)," wrote school principal Peter Stone in a letter sent to all parents/guardians.

The letter was sent home to parents on Thursday letting parents/guardians know a staff or student at the school has tested positive for the virus. Due to privacy reasons, the health unit and school board will not identify if the case is a student or staff member. 

One classroom was closed as a result of the Oct. 25 case. No further classrooms will be closed as a result of the newest case.

"There continues to be only one affected class/cohort and they continue to be asked to remain home and not attend school at this time," wrote Stone.
The school remains open. 

Simcoe County school cases (as of Oct. 30)

  • Sept. 15 – Twin Lakes Secondary School, Orillia (teacher, recovered)
  • Sept. 18 – St. John Vianney Catholic School, Barrie (individual, recovered)
  • Sept. 20 – Father F.X. O’Reilly Catholic School, Tottenham (individual, recovered)
  • Sept. 21 – Bear Creek Secondary School, Barrie (individual, recovered)
  • Sept. 24 – Sister Catherine Donnelly Catholic School, Barrie (individual, recovered)
  • Sept. 27 – St. Angela Merici Catholic School, Bradford (individual, recovered)
  • Sept. 28 – Admiral Collingwood Elementary School, Collingwood (individual, recovered)
  • Sept. 28 – St. Paul’s Catholic School, Alliston (individual, two classrooms closed, recovered)
  • Sept. 29 – Worsley Elementary School, Wasaga Beach (individual, recovered)
  • Sept. 29 – Goodfellow Public School, Innisfil (individual, recovered)
  • Oct. 1 – Bradford District High School, Bradford (individual, recovered)
  • Oct. 2 – St. Catherine of Siena Catholic School, Barrie (individual, recovered)
  • Oct. 2 – École Secondaire Catholique Nouvelle-Alliance, Barrie (individual, recovered)
  • Oct. 7 – St. John Paul II Catholic School, Barrie (individual)
  • Oct. 8 – St. Bernadette Catholic School, Barrie (individual)
  • Oct. 8 – Pine River Elementary School, Angus (individual, recovered)
  • Oct. 12 – Collingwood Collegiate Institute, Collingwood (individual, classroom closed, recovered)
  • Oct. 12 – Father F.X. O’Reilly Catholic School, Tottenham (individual) This is the second case confirmed at the school, there is no classroom closed because of this case.
  • Oct. 13 – St. Marie of the Incarnation, Bradford, (two individuals), one classroom is closed
  • Oct. 14 – Innisdale Secondary School, Barrie (individual, recovered)
  • Oct. 16 – Barrie North Secondary School, Barrie (individual, recovered)
  • Oct. 16 – Tecumseth Beeton Elementary School, Beeton (two individuals, recovered)
  • Oct. 19 – St. Peter's Catholic Secondary School, Barrie (individual)
  • Oct. 23 – Tecumseth Beeton Elementary School, Beeton (individual)
  • Oct. 23 – St. Joseph's Catholic High School, Barrie (individual)
  • Oct. 25 – Bradford District Secondary School, Bradford (individual, one classroom closed)
  • Oct. 25 – St. Paul's Catholic School (individual, one classroom closed)
  • Oct. 25 – Nantyr Shores Secondary School, Innisfil (individual)
  • Oct. 28 – Alcona Glen Elementary School, Innisfil (individual)
  • Oct. 28 – St. Angela Merici Catholic School, Bradford (individual)
  • Oct. 29 – Bradford District Secondary School, Bradford (individual)

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Jessica Owen

About the Author: Jessica Owen

Jessica Owen is an experienced journalist working for Village Media since 2018, primarily covering Collingwood and education.
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