COLIN KERR
Staff Reporter
BARRY’S BAY – Parents breathed a collective sigh of exasperation to hear that schools will not be opening after the April Break. Not that it was all that surprising, given the massive increase in COVID cases over the last few weeks – a record number for the province now in this long-expected ‘third wave.’
Even after the premier announced the stay-at-home order on April 8 there was a hope that schools would be able to remain open. The government cited the safety of the schools and the importance of schools being open for the mental health of children.
For his part, Renfrew County District Medical Officer for Health, Dr. Robert Cushman, has stated that he does not agree with the province’s decision. But with record cases even here in the county, it is hard not to share some of the concern, of course. The number of active cases broke the 50 mark in the county on the 13th, with 55 active cases, before declining to 45 the next day, and then rising once again to 50 on the 16th.
On the 16th, we also heard that two students who attend George Vanier School in Combermere were diagnosed with COVID; this was a non-school related exposure.
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