Rapid tests deployed to prevent school-wide dismissal at Southridge Public School
Officials at Southridge Public School in Kitchener are asking all asymptomatic and unvaccinated students to undergo rapid antigen testing, following a COVID-19 outbreak at the school on Thursday.
The province’s new Test-to-Stay approach has been implemented to prevent a school-wide dismissal, said a spokesperson with the Waterloo Region District School Board in a statement to CTV News.
“Through this initiative, asymptomatic, unvaccinated students who have not been directed to self-isolate by Public Health will complete frequent rapid antigen screening over a 10-day period,” said Eusis Dougan-McKenzie, Chief Communications Officer at WRDSB. “Those who test negative will be able to continue in-person learning.”
Rapid tests were sent home with students Thursday afternoon.
A father with two children at Southridge P.S. spoke with CTV Thursday evening.
Chris Roth said parents like him are frustrated because his own children have been in and out of school due to positive cases since the end of October.
“It’s certainly frightening for us. I worry about myself bringing COVID into my place of employment with over 200 employees. It’s challenging,” said Roth via a virtual interview. “And then trying to figure out when we can actually send these kids back to school safetly.”
According to a notice issued by the Waterloo Region District School Board, officials determined a student case is in the same cohort that had cases earlier this week.
On Nov. 28, five student cases were reported at Southridge P.S.
Officials say the outbreak is related to this single cohort and is not a school-wide outbreak.
However, Dougan-McKenzie noted there are six classroom cohorts currently dismissed out of 20 at Southridge P.S.
The Test-To-Stay strategy has been recommended because “of the number cohorts that are dismissed, increase in cases, and looking at transmission and linkages of current cases,” said Sharon Ord from the Waterloo Region Public Health Unit. “This program is being offered to help keep schools open, prevent spread in schools and an additional tool for parents to screen their child prior to attending school.”
The public health unit along with school board officials are urging as many families as possible to take part in the testing program.
The WRDSB is working with public health to distribute testing kits and instructions to parents.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Author Salman Rushdie on ventilator after he was stabbed on lecture stage in New York
Salman Rushdie, whose novel 'The Satanic Verses' drew death threats from Iran's leader in the 1980s, was stabbed in the neck and abdomen Friday by a man who rushed the stage as the author was about to give a lecture in western New York.

Anne Heche legally dead, remains on life support for donor evaluation
Anne Heche remains on life support and under evaluation for organ donation after a car crash that led to her brain death, a representative for the actor said Friday.
FBI seized 'top secret' documents from Trump home
The FBI recovered documents that were labelled 'top secret' from former U.S. President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, according to court papers released Friday after a federal judge unsealed the warrant that authorized the unprecedented search this week.
Passengers tackle Canadian man after he became violent, tried to open plane doors mid-flight
A plane bound for Toronto has been forced to divert to Iceland after a Canadian man allegedly became violent and tried to open the aircraft door mid-air.
Canadian who sold his possessions, used up his savings to deliver aid in Ukraine makes a plea for help
Canadian Adam Oake is among volunteers delivering aid to civilians in Ukraine, but he says donations are drying up and he's issuing a plea for help.
Canadian universities earned record-high surplus revenues during COVID-19: StatCan
Canadian universities reported record-high surplus revenues in wake of the pandemic as schools took advantage of last year's strong stock market performance.
EXCLUSIVE | Woman who was stalked by police officer ex-boyfriend says justice system failed her
Despite a police misconduct probe that found a high-ranking B.C. officer had stalked and harassed his ex-girlfriend for years, a criminal investigation into the case did not result in charges.
Canada to test wastewater for polio
Canada plans to start testing wastewater for poliovirus in a number of cities “as soon as possible” following new reports of cases abroad, the Public Health Agency of Canada confirmed on Friday.
Montenegro gunman kills 10 on the street; police kill him
A man went on a shooting rampage in the streets of this western Montenegro city Friday, killing 10 people, including two children, before being shot dead by a passerby, officials said.