This news marks the first time that an entire school has been shut down in Quebec due to COVID-19
At a press conference Thursday morning, Montreal Regional Public Health Director Dr. Mylène Drouin confirmed the closing of Herzliah High School following a coronavirus outbreak that affected more than a dozen students and one teacher.
Michelle Toledano, executive director of the private school in Snowdon, sent parents a letter Wednesday night advising them of the decision to close the school, and informing them that all in-person classes will be suspended for two weeks.
Brigitte Fortin, a spokesperson for Herzliah High School in Snowdon, said the school has been authorized to provide online learning to all high school students over the next two weeks.
"As one of the many schools in Quebec with COVID-19 cases, Azrieli Schools Talmud Torah | Herzliah is working in close collaboration with Quebec public health and following their directives to manage the situation," said Fortin. "To that end, we continue to work in partnership with our school community in stressing the importance of adhering to public health guidelines."
As of September 15, there were a total of 410 diagnosed cases reported in school environments in Quebec, including 322 among students.
The news came this morning while the first massive COVID-19 screening operation was underway at the Sans-Frontiere elementary school in Quebec City where no less than 305 students and staff members will undergo a test by Thursday evening.
