'Heightened concern' as COVID-19 closes every school in Gimli, Man., on Monday

Every school in the Manitoba town of Gimlihas been closed due to COVID-19.

In a message sent to parents and posted on its website on Sunday, the Evergreen School Division said some students and staff at Sigurbjorg Steffanson Early School and Dr. George Johnson Middle School tested positive for the coronavirus and had been at school while they were infectious.

It then learned of additional positive cases atGimli High School.

No information was provided on the total number of cases, when they were discovered and on which days the infected people were at the schools.

The division's statement only says adecision has been made to close all three schools on Monday, at least.

That will providean opportunity for a number of people to get coronavirustest results back, allow public health officials to complete aninvestigation, give time for a deep cleaning of the schoolsand "determine the best path forward in collaboration with the medical officer of public health," the message says.

"At this time of heightened concern," the division is urging staff and families of students tolimitcontactwith anyone outside their household, stayhome when sick even when symptoms are mild and follow public health guidance to wear masks and thoroughly wash hands.

An updatefrom the division is expected once it has heard from public health officialslater Monday.

Gimli is in the province'sInterlake region, about85 kilometres north of Winnipeg.

The Interlake is also where acase of the highly contagious coronavirus variantB117was reported on Saturday.

Fisher River Cree Nation, about 100 kilometres north of Gimli, announced the positive case througha bulletin on its website.

The First Nation said it has a number of safety protocols in place to prevent spread and has advised members to not travel out of the community unless it's for essential reasons and that travel must be logged.