Bus routes flagged following outbreaks

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COVID-19 is not only a problem in classrooms, it is causing difficulty on some school bus routes as well.

The Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit has declared COVID-19 outbreaks on two school bus routes in Norfolk County.

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One route serves Port Rowan Public School, Houghton Public School and Valley Heights Secondary School. The other route serves Delhi Public School, Delhi District Secondary School and two unnamed schools not associated with the Grand Erie District School Board.

The health unit declares an outbreak when two or more lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19 with a causal link are detected in a setting within 14 days of each other. Health officials confirmed a chain of transmission on the routes in the Port Rowan area and Delhi Wednesday.

“The Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit has provided direction and next steps via email to these individuals, including confirmation of their isolation period and instructions for household members,” the Grand Erie board said Thursday night in a news release.

“If additional students or staff are impacted, the health unit will advise as soon as possible. Grand Erie has provided the health unit with class lists, transportation records and childcare information to support case management and contact tracing.”

Schools served by these bus routes remain open. Health officials do not require staff and students to quarantine.

“The buses have been thoroughly cleaned and — along with the entire school bus fleet — continue to be disinfected daily,” the school board says. “The outbreaks will be closely monitored by the health unit.”

MSonnenberg@postmedia.com