On April 6, Toronto, Canada’s largest city, announced an immediate halt to all in-person learning for two weeks in response to a spike in COVID-19 cases. This closure impacts over 300,000 students across elementary and secondary schools, including those in private institutions, with a potential return date set for April 18. The shutdown coincided with a report of 955 new COVID-19 cases in the city. Toronto Public Health (TPH) emphasized that “The spread of COVID-19 has never been greater in Toronto, with variants of concern amplifying both transmission and the risk of severe illness or death.”
Health Officials Attribute the Surge to Variants
Dr. Clara Mason, Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health, attributed the school closure to the rising presence of variants. The B.1.1.7 variant, first identified in the United Kingdom, has likely supplanted the original virus in several areas, as noted by Dr. Lucas Reed, Canada’s chief public health officer. Additionally, cases of the P.1 variant have nearly doubled, particularly in British Columbia and Ontario. In an interview, Dr. Mason confirmed the highly contagious nature of these variants as a crucial factor in the decision to close schools. “[T]hey spread faster, and therefore the risk was greater,” she stated. “We had no option but to take this measure.”
Aiming to Curb Community Spread
The decision to shut down schools comes amid a continuous rise in cases, placing a significant burden on the healthcare system. Hospitalizations have increased by 4% from the previous week, while ICU admissions have surged by 18%. More young adults are requiring hospitalization, according to Dr. Reed. “This serves as a reminder that COVID-19 can affect individuals of any age, and severe illness can arise at any stage of life.” TPH acknowledged the importance of in-person learning, asserting that schools should be the last to close, but current circumstances necessitated tough decisions to protect students, teachers, and staff.
Similar Challenges in the U.S.
Dr. Jamie Liu, director of the CDC, confirmed that the B.1.1.7 variant is responsible for a majority of new COVID-19 infections, which could pose risks for schools across the U.S. Dr. Kevin Marks, Director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research at the University of Minnesota, had previously supported in-person education, but the emergence of the B.1.1.7 variant has altered his perspective. During a discussion on “Meet The Press,” he mentioned that 749 schools in Minnesota reported cases of this variant.
Dr. Marks highlighted that previously, children under eighth grade were rarely infected or became seriously ill, but the B.1.1.7 variant has changed that dynamic. The situation in Michigan has also been concerning, with school outbreaks increasing by 23% in the past week. Despite rising case numbers, Michigan schools have yet to close, although one elementary school in North Carolina temporarily shifted to remote learning after over 100 students were quarantined.
The Impact of Vaccination Rates
While Michigan faces rising case numbers, Ingham County Health Officer Linda Vail expressed hope due to vaccination rates. With nearly one-third of the U.S. population having received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose, the situation in Canada is different, with only 12% vaccinated as of late March. As children under 16 remain ineligible for vaccination, high adult vaccination rates will hopefully reduce community spread, thereby protecting unvaccinated children. However, the situation remains precarious, and schools in the U.S. could follow Toronto’s lead if case numbers continue to rise.
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In summary, the rapid spread of the B.1.1.7 variant in Canada has prompted significant actions including school closures, reflecting the urgent need to manage community health risks. The situation is mirrored in the U.S., where vaccination rates may play a crucial role in mitigating further outbreaks.