Online learning in Ontario's elementary schools is being extended until January 25.
The provincial government announced Thursday afternoon that primary schools across southern Ontario's 27 health units will not reopen for in-person learning as planned Monday, January 11.
Lambton Medical Officer of Health Dr. Sudit Ranade said the likelihood of COVID-19 spreading into schools is greater as local case numbers rise.
"Schools do not seem to be independent drivers of transmission on their own," said Dr. Ranade. "But, they do reflect the transmission levels that are in the community. The higher the prevalence of COVID disease in the community, the more likely you are to bring COVID into schools."
Since mid-December, Sarnia-Lambton's case count has increased tremendously, and while the numbers have been lower the past couple of days, Dr. Ranade said the current "big picture" trend is much more significant.
"We're just starting to see, actually, some cases that have had exposures with respect to gatherings around Christmas. We wouldn't know more fully for another few days, but we are starting to see those cases come in, for sure."
The province also announced that the shutdown in northern Ontario is being extended for another 14 days to keep students, education staff, and residents safe.
"With the public health trends where they are across the province, our priority remains keeping students, teachers, school staff, and all Ontarians safe," said Premier Doug Ford in a statement. "That's why we're extending the remote learning period for students in southern Ontario and the shutdown period for northern Ontario, while continuing to provide financial relief for parents through the Support for Learners program as well as electricity rate relief for all time-of-use customers. We have to get the numbers down and today's measures will help us continue to stop the spread of this deadly virus."
The province said targeted testing done among students and staff in December 2020 confirmed that schools are not a significant source of transmission. However, with students having been at home for several weeks and with reports of concerning behaviour over the holidays, the positivity rate among school-aged children has increased sharply. The statement said the rate for kids aged 12 to 13 years old increased from 5.44 per cent in late November, early December to nearly 20 per cent in early January.
In-person learning in Ontario high schools is still scheduled to resume January 25.
-With files from Sue Storr & Colin Gowdy