Newfoundland and Labrador schools switch to online learning as COVID-19 cases surge

HALIFAX -

Public school students in Newfoundland and Labrador will return from the holiday break to remote learning starting Jan. 4, as the province battles a surge in COVID-19 cases.

Premier Andrew Furey told reporters Wednesday the decision will be re-evaluated on a weekly basis in order to return students to in-person classes as soon as possible.

Furey says the step is being taken out of precaution because the Omicron variant of the novel coronavirus spreads quickly.

The province is also reporting another single-day record case count, with 312 new infections.

Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Janice Fitzgerald says the province has 1,111 active cases of COVID-19.

Fitzgerald says there is no one in hospital with the disease.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 29, 2021.