COVID-19 outbreak at Mississauga school grows to 21 cases, five classroom closures

Peel Public Health is investigating an outbreak of COVID-19 at an elementary school in Mississauga that has grown to 21 confirmed cases of the virus among students.

According to data provided by the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board (DPCDSB), five classrooms at St. James Catholic Global Learning Centre are currently closed due to the outbreak.

In a letter home to parents earlier this month, the school remains open to unaffected staff and students and additional cleaning measures had taken place.

“I am writing to inform you that Peel Public Health is currently investigating another COVID-19 exposure at our school,” the Dec. 3 letter signed by the school’s principal, Cloutier McCann, said.

“Individuals who have been notified by Peel Public Health are advised to get tested. Peel Public Health has informed us that the risk for the rest of our school remains low.”

In the weeks leading up to the winter break, cases of COVID-19 have been on the rise across the region.

Three new COVID-19 outbreaks were reported at Mississauga elementary schools on Monday (Dec. 6) alone.

According to Public Health, in addition to the outbreak at St. James, there are outbreaks in at least 10 other elementary or private schools in the region:

• Bristol Road Middle School – Mississauga
• San Lorenzo Ruiz Elementary School – Mississauga
• St. Gerard School – Mississauga
• Erindale Secondary School – Mississauga
• St Gregory Elementary School – Mississauga
• St Martin Secondary School – Mississauga
• Camilla Rd. Sr. Public School – Mississauga
• Millcreek Kinder Kampus – Mississauga
• Kindree Public School – Mississauga
• St. Joseph Separate School – Mississauga
• St. Teresa Avila – Mississauga
• Lester B Pearson Catholic School – Brampton
• St. John Paul II CES – Caledon

An outbreak in a school is defined as two or more lab-confirmed COVID-19 cases in students, staff or providers with an epidemiological link within a 14-day period where at least one case could have acquired infection in the school.

— with a file from Ryan Rumbolt