Outbreaks declared at two schools in Kitchener and Waterloo

Region of Waterloo Public Health has declared a COVID-19 outbreak at Centennial Public School in Waterlooafter two students tested positive for the virus.

The Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSD)posted about the outbreak Sunday, indicating that the two new cases were already asked to isolate as a result of a confirmed positive case at the school last week.

"The risk profile at Centennial PS remains unchanged and no additional classrooms or cohorts will be dismissed at this time. The outbreak was declared post-dismissal of the affected cohorts. There is no further action required for the current cohorts that have been dismissed," reads the notice posted on the board's website.

The confirmed case at the school from last week involves a staff member who attended the school while awaiting COVID-19 test results. The staff member later tested positive, resulting in the dismissal of six classrooms.

According to the school board, the staff member was symptomatic and attended the school up until Tuesday, a day before the person found out they were COVID-19 positive.

Dismissed staff and students have been asked to isolate until Dec. 2.

The WRDSB said it is working with the Region of Waterloo Public Health to prevent further spread of COVID-19 in students, staff and the community and strict health and safety measures and cleaning processes remain in place.

The school board said the circumstances of the confirmed case are still under investigation.

Outbreak at Catholic elementary school

Region of Waterloo Public Health has also confirmed twocases of COVID-19 connectedto Blessed Sacrament Catholic Elementary School.

A spokesperson for theWaterloo Catholic District School Board (WCDSB) said the two positive cases involve one student and one staff member. One class has been impacted as a result of the outbreak.

The outbreak at the Kitchener schoolhas a start date listed by the health unit as Nov. 17.

In a letter posted to theWCDSB website Friday, LorrettaNotten, director of education addressed the rising cases in the region.

"We are seeing some COVID cases in our schools, but they reflect our broader community and we have seen very strong evidence that all our protocols are working," she said in the written letter.

"We urge you to remain vigilant in reminding students about the importance of our protocols and to ensure you and all your family are adhering to Waterloo Region Public Health advice and that you are also completing the self screening every day before sending your children to school."

As of Monday, 25 schools in the Waterloo region have reported at least one case of COVID-19 in a student or staff member according to Ontario's report of COVID-19 cases in schools and child care centres.