SUDBURY -- Public Health Sudbury and Districts (PHSD) declared an outbreak at Immaculate Conception after another individual at the school tested positive for COVID-19.

The Sudbury Catholic District School Board had already closed the school for in-class learning on March 12 in addition to the city returning to grey on the provinces colour-coded control system.

In a March 14 news release, PHSD declared the outbreak but officials have yet to release the number of  positive cases at the school and if they are linked to students or staff members.

“Public Health is working closely with the school community and Sudbury Catholic District School Board to ensure all necessary public health measures are put into place to identify potential cases and limit spread. Parents and guardians will receive specific public health guidance.”

“Previously dismissed individuals must continue to follow the guidance provided by public health.”

“Further, on March 11, 2021, Dr. Penny Sutcliffe, Medical Officer of Health with Public Health Sudbury & Districts in consultation with the area school boards and leadership from other schools, instructed schools to transition to virtual learning effective Monday, March 15.”

“This will affect all schools, public and private, in Public Health Sudbury & Districts service area with the exception of Chapleau, Foleyet and Gogama and is intended as an additional layer of protection.”

The lockdown comes as public health officials in Sudbury work to contain several outbreaks in school across the city.  All four school boards have closed their schools until at least March 26.

Greater Sudbury currently has 266 active cases after PHSD recorded 49 cases yesterday.

Public Health Sudbury & Districts is in the Grey – Lockdown level of the COVID-19 Response Framework (Government of Ontario).

Additional measures in effect in Grey-Lockdown include no indoor gatherings, except with members of the same household, outdoor gathering limits, closures to restaurants, bars, personal care services, sports and recreation facilities, and capacity limits in retail stores.

For more information or if you have questions, please visit phsd.ca/COVID-19 or call Public Health Sudbury & Districts at 705.522.9200 (toll-free 1.866.522.9200).