Public Health officials say out of “an abundance of caution” St. Joseph’s Elementary and King Academy in Harbour Breton are closed today.

The closures are to allow for additional time for cleaning following word of two recent COVID cases in the town.

School officials will reassess the situation tomorrow based on the latest information available.

The Town of Harbour Breton has asked non-essential businesses and services to shut down while the cases and contact tracing are underway.

Mayor Georgine Ollerhead says residents are afraid the town will become the next cluster. She says the residents of Harbour Breton will rise above and stay supportive of each other.

Earlier Story

The Town of Harbour Breton has gone into partial lockdown after two positive cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in the community over the weekend.

Residents are being asked to stay at home as much as possible and all non-essential businesses have been advised to stop normal operations until further notice.

The Town Office and Connaigre Fitness Centre will also remain closed as health officials set up a mobile testing clinic today and investigate the source of the two cases, which are related to each other.

Mayor Georgina Ollerhead says not knowing where the virus came from is a concern for everyone. She says unlike cases related to travel, it’s scary when you realize the source of the infection so far remains a mystery.

Out of an abundance of caution, classes are suspended at St. Joseph’s Elementary and King Academy today—Monday, December 7—to allow additional time for cleaning. The situation will be reassessed tomorrow based on the latest available information and will advise on the status of classes for Tuesday.

Close contacts of the confirmed cases have already been tested and are self-isolating. Results of further testing should be known within 24 hours.