Lambton Kent District School Board Director of Education John Howitt outside the board's education centre in Sarnia. August 2019. (Photo by LKDSB)Lambton Kent District School Board Director of Education John Howitt outside the board's education centre in Sarnia. August 2019. (Photo by LKDSB)
Sarnia

Bush party, sleepovers blamed for COVID spread in schools

A bush party and basement sleepovers are linked to recent COVID-19 outbreaks at Lambton-Kent schools.

Director of Education John Howitt told Sue Storr on CHOK (103.9 FM, 1070 AM) Wednesday morning that the virus has spread through numerous school communities as a result of social gatherings.

"A bush party, with five different households piling into a minivan to go out to the bush party, leads to hundreds of families affected and I'm not exaggerating, I'm giving concrete examples," said Howitt.

He said indoor gatherings are also blamed.

"Basement party sleepovers lead to dozens of families being impacted. We've got to continue to be vigilant and not do gatherings."

Howitt is urging families and staff to follow pandemic safety protocols over the Easter weekend.

"I recently received an email from a family, requesting that the schools continue to repeat, even if it's everyday or twice a day, the importance of not doing gatherings because their child is getting invited to parties on Snapchat and they have trouble to say no."

Howitt said cooperation is needed at home because we're all in this together.

"We're doing our best for the five hours a day that we have our students and the precautions are in place to keep them safe. Outside of the school day we need the community and family support."

As of Wednesday, the Lambton Kent District School Board was reporting at least one student or staff case in 23 of its schools.

 

Read More Local Stories