The Middlesex-London Health Unit has declared a COIVD-19 outbreak at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Secondary School. The Health Unit has concluded that the virus had been spread between close contacts at the school who have both tested positive, after other possible sources of transmission between two individuals had been ruled out. The outbreak is the fifth to be reported at a London school this week; outbreaks were declared on Wednesday, December 9th at Sir Arthur Currie Public School, Mother Teresa Catholic Secondary School, Westminster Secondary School and Ashley Oaks Public School.

“It’s through following up with cases that we learn more about the individuals involved and their close contacts. We start to see links emerge that help us understand how this virus is passed from person to person,” says Dr. Alex Summers, Associate Medical Officer of Health with the Middlesex-London Health Unit. “It’s our conclusion that COVID-19 was passed from one case to another at St. Thomas Aquinas. However, because we’ve already identified and excluded their close contacts at the school, there is no need for further action by staff or students, other than to monitor themselves for the development of symptoms.”

The announcement of an outbreak at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Secondary School does not mean the school is closing. Only staff and students in classrooms identified as having had close contact with the cases will be excluded from attending school. The declaration of a COVID-19 outbreak at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Secondary School is an indication that Health Unit case investigators have observed a higher rate of infection than would otherwise be expected, combined with evidence that transmission is occurring within the facility.

The Health Unit recommends the following to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 infections:

• Limit interactions to only those who are part of your household.
• Avoid all non-essential travel.
• Maintain two metres physical distance from anyone who is not part of your household.
• Wear a mask in enclosed places, or where physical distancing cannot be maintained
• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for 15-20 seconds or use a waterless hand sanitizer with at least 70 percent alcohol content.
• Cover coughs and/or sneezes with your sleeve or cough into your elbow.
• Clean high-touch areas, such as doorknobs in public spaces, frequently.
• Download the COVID Alert mobile app to be notified if you may have been exposed to COVID-19, and to let others know if you test positive for the virus.
• Visit https://covidtestinglm.ca for how to get tested at a London Assessment Centre.

For more information about COVID-19, please visit the Middlesex-London Health Unit’s website at www.healthunit.com/novel-coronavirus.

Note: The MLHU will no longer issue news releases about school-based outbreaks. These outbreaks are currently included in the MLHU’s daily online dashboard updates.

Media Contact:
Dan Flaherty, Communications Manager, Middlesex-London Health Unit,
519-663-5317, extension 2469 or 519-617-0570 (cell)

Spokesperson:
Dr. Alex Summers, Associate Medical Officer of Health, Middlesex-London Health Unit