By Gabby Rodrigues, Global News, November 18, 2020
In the last 14 days, there have been 793 cases reported in Ontario schools; 508 schools have at least one confirmed cases of COVID-19. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
A child and youth worker with the Toronto Catholic District School Board has died after contracting coronavirus, sources confirm to Global News.
A child and youth worker is someone who provides direct support to students who have social, emotional or behavioral issues in schools.
They typically requires closer proximity than any other education staff due to student behaviour and working virtually may not be an option.
The sources said the educational employee, a woman, worked at St. Francis De Sales Catholic School which is located just south of Jane Street and Finch Avenue West.
The source added that the woman already had a pre-existing condition and did not go to any other school.
“We’ve recently learned of a tragic death of a staff member of the Toronto Catholic District School Board. This unfortunate news is a huge loss to our entire TCDSB community,” the board said in a statement Wednesday morning.
“Supports are available to the impacted school community. At this time we are focused on supporting staff and students and respecting the privacy of the grieving family and staff member,” the TCDSB said.
The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) also issued a statement saying: “We are deeply saddened by this news and send out deepest condolences to the family and friends of our union sister.”
The union said “it will be seeking more information about this tragic occurrence, which will be of deep concern to students, families and education workers across the province.”