Schools could close after spring break, Etches warns

Rising COVID-19 case numbers means it's "more likely than not" that schools will remain closed after the end of next week's spring break, Ottawa's medical officer of health says.

Dr. Vera Etches delivered that news with "a heavy heart" duringa city media briefing Friday afternoon.

"I know how important schools are to the health of the community," Etches said. "Closing schools will underline the seriousness of the situation and will assist people to stay home as much as possible."

Along with the rest of Ontario, Ottawa is now under a stay-at-home order until at least early May as cases surge during the pandemic's third wave.

City health officials also reported new 242 COVID-19 cases on Friday, a one-day record.

Ottawa schools may have to close if cases keep rising, OPH says

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Dr. Vera Etches, medical officer of health, says Ottawa Public Health will likely close schools after spring break in an effort to reduce the transmission of COVID-19 in the city.

School transmission stable

The fate of elementary and secondary schools would likely be decided by next Wednesday, Etches said.Certain details, includinghow child-care centres would operate, still need to be worked out.

Etches maintained transmission in schools isn't "out of control," with the majority of cases connected to someone else who'd caught COVID-19 in the wider community.

"There have been new school outbreaks this week, but the overall number of outbreaks has remained fairly stable, and it's still a minority of schools that are affected by people testing positive," she said.

"My heart is heavy because I know how important schools are to the health of our community."