Canadian Martyrs Catholic Elementary School is the first school in Newmarket to close due to COVID-19.
As of today, Dec. 15, the school will be closed until Jan. 4 after one person at the school was confirmed positive for the virus at the London Road school.
According to York Catholic District School Board (YCDSB) spokesperson Veronica Pang, the school board is working with York Region Public Health to investigate the exposure. She said the staff member became infected in the community and not at the school.
"During York Region Public Health’s case investigation, four classes and numerous staff have been identified as part of the affected cohort that must stay home and self-isolate."
Due to the number of staff who must now stay at home, YCDSB decided to temporarily close Canadian Martyrs and move all classes online until Christmas break starts at the end of the week, she said.
For the rest of the week, students will attend classes virtually, as are all Catholic high schools students.
Pang also stresses that other than the four classes and identified staff, all other staff and students are not considered close contacts of the case and do not have to self-isolate.
"We recognize this information may be concerning and want to assure you we are working in partnership with public health to take all the appropriate steps for the health, safety and well-being of our school community," said Pang.
This article has been edited to clarify that it was a staff member who was infected.