Brantford school temporarily closes due to COVID-19 outbreak

A Brantford elementary school is temporarily closed due to a COVID-19 outbreak.

Branlyn Community School has moved all classes to remote learning after six positive cases of the virus were confirmed at the school.

The Grand Erie District School Board (GEDSB) says the decision to close the facility was made after consultation with the Brant County Health Unit.

It is a proactive move to protect the health of students and staff.

During remote learning, the board says Branlyn teachers will use D2L Brightspace and other virtual platforms to provide synchronous and asynchronous learning to students throughout the school day.

“At this time, online learning is expected to continue through to the start of the winter break, with the school re-opening to in-person learning on Monday, January 3,” said GEDSB in a press release.

An outbreak is defined as two or more lab-confirmed COVID-19 cases in students and/or staff in a school with an epidemiological link, within a 14- day period, where at least one case could have reasonably acquired their infection in the school.