The local public school board added eight new likely COVID-19 cases to the list of active infections to start off the week.
Late Monday evening, the Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB) reported the cases at seven schools in the region including:
• Delaware Public School (two cases) • East Elgin Secondary School • Glendale High School • Northridge Public School • Princess Elizabeth Public School • Riverside Public School • South Ridge Public School
While it has not yet been confirmed, the board said it is investigating the possible presence of the Omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus. Princess Elizabeth in London and Delaware Public in Delaware have identified close contact cases and all individuals are now self-isolating.
"As the situation evolves, we will continue to take precautionary measures based on the guidance of our local health units to ensure the safety of our staff and students, which is our number one priority," said Director of Education Mark Fisher.
Also on Monday, the Middlesex London Health Unit announced there is a strong possibility that the Omicron variant could already be in the London-area.
All of the schools will remain open on Tuesday, while some the schools reporting new cases on Monday already have more than one active case. None of them have been placed in outbreak status by the health unit.
"A positive case at a school does not mean the individual was exposed to COVID-19 at a Thames Valley school. It is possible that they may have been exposed somewhere else in the community," read a statement on the school board's website.
Only those who have received a letter identifying them as a close contact of an infected individual will be asked to stay home and self-isolate for up to 10 days the school board said in a statement released on Monday. The health units will then follow up with those individuals with specific testing advice.
There are now 30 active COVID-19 cases within TVDSB schools. More details can be found on the board's website.
