Prairie South To Close Schools In Moose Jaw And Caronport

By Robert Thomas

First it was Cornerstone Christian School moving to distance or on-line learning but now all schools in the Prairie South School Division (PSSD) are set to do the same thing due to the rising threat of Variants Of Concern (VOC).

In a letter to parents PSSD has announced they will be moving to on-line learning effective Monday in Moose Jaw and Caronport.

“Although we continue to have no confirmed school level transmission, we have had more positive cases in schools over the last (two) 2 days than we had for the 38 days prior to that,” the letter to parents reads.

The rise of Variants of Concern (VOC) or mutations of the coronavirus which causes COVID - 19 has provincial health authorities concerned as the new variants are more readily transmissible than the original virus. Over time all viruses mutate to better adapt to their hosts.

The main VOC - B 1.1.7 UK - is listed as 70 percent more transmissible and 30 percent more virulent.

Prairie South made the decision after meeting with Public Health officials on Thursday.

In person learning is set to return on April 12th for all students.

UPDATE - In an email to parents the Holy Trinity Catholic School Division in Moose Jaw will also be going on-line effective March 30th.