Three schools in Lambton are now reporting cases of COVID-19.

The operations of only two of the schools – both elementary schools – have been affected.

Tuesday, the Lambton Kent District School Board notified families of students in two classrooms one student tested positive for COVID-19. Those classes were told to stay home and isolate until Oct. 22.

Today, the board confirms another case at Bright’s Grove Public School. Two classes have also be told to self isolate there.

Director of Education John Howitt says there are now 92 students in total isolating at home and learning online.

“All of our face-to-face learning classrooms have an online learning presence. If public health does dismiss a class, we can quickly pivot,” he says.

And there is another case at Northern Collegiate in Sarnia however, Howitt say the person had not been in school for the past two weeks so the diagnosis has not affected the school at all.

The director adds while it has been stressful, the board and the schools are handling the situation as well as could be expected.

“It would be great if we went through the entire pandemic without a case, but it might not be a realistic expectation,” he says. Howitt adds teachers learn early to be flexible through change. “you are always ready for the unexpected,” he says. “That said, a pandemic is something you’re not trained for – you don’t expect – and it has required us to do some different things.”

There are now three active cases of COVID-19 in Lambton County with four cases in the last four days.

Across the province, there are 109 new school cases today including 55 new student cases, 17 new staff cases. Of the 451 current schools with cases, and five are currently closed.