The Public Health investigation into the COVID outbreak on Burin Peninsula shows that the Delta variant of the virus spread among students in the school system.

That’s prompted a change to COVID protocols in K-6 schools starting next week, at least until school-aged children have access to the COVID vaccine.

Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Janice Fitzgerald provided the update today in order to keep as many schools open to in-class learning as possible.

Starting Monday, November 1, all students in Kindergarten to Grade 3 will be required to wear a mask, while staff at regulated child care centres will also be required to wear a mask.

Class cohorting will also be required indoors and to the greatest extent possible, outdoors as well.

There are 77 cases linked to the Marystown cluster, most of which are school-aged children.

There are eight new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the province today, five in the Eastern Health region and three in Central Health.

Three of the cases reported today are under the age of 20.

There are 99 active cases in Newfoundland and Labrador, including one person in hospital.