NLESD suspends in-person classes at Donald C. Jamieson Academy until further notice

In-class instruction at Donald C. Jamieson Academy in Burin Bay Arm will be suspended as of Monday, according toa media release issued Sunday afternoon by the Newfoundland and Labrador English School District.

Closing the K-7 school will allow public health officials the time to complete their investigation, the release said. The closure will continue until public health advises otherwise.

At-home learning will begin Tuesday, the district said, with Mondayserving as a transition dayto help staff and students prepare.

The school is located roughly 10 kilometres from Marystown on Newfoundland's Burin Peninsula, where an outbreak of COVID-19 cases was reported on Friday. Communities in the Marystown and Burin areamoved to Alert Level 3 at midnight Saturday.

Sacred Heart Academy in Marystownis set to begin at-home learning Monday, after the NLESD announced thesuspension of in-person classes at the school on Thursday. A release from the district at the time said the suspension of classes was due to "an increase of COVID-19 cases linked to the school community."

Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Janice Fitzgerald said Friday that21 students across all gradesat Sacred Heart Academy have been infected.

Cluster rises to 39, mayor says

Marystown Mayor Brian Keatingsaid he's been told by Eastern Health that 14 new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in the town Saturday, raising the total number of cases in the cluster to 39.

Keating said two clinics are doing testing in the community, with more than 1,400 tests scheduled for the weekend, and he expectsmore cases will be identified.

"We're hoping it won't, but in these kinds of circumstances, [cases] usually do peak before it drops off," he said.

Keating said people in the town are embracing public health measures to try to stop the spread of the virus.

"They're a little cautious. There's a little nervousness in the town, but I've got to commend my town on their behaviours. They're sticking together, they're helping each other out," he said.

"Right now, they're following all the guidelines and directions and they know if we follow the guidelines of Eastern Health, we'll beat this and get it behind us."

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