19 confirmed COVID cases at Thorncliffe Park Public School were found during the new, voluntary testing program; 18 students and one staff.That brings the total number of cases at the East York school to 21.

More than 200 students are now in self isolation as testing is expected to continue Monday but Education Minister Stephen Lecce is ruling closing the school for two weeks and puts the decision squarely on health officials.

“I meant the decision on sending a cohort or school home is decided exclusively by the local public health unit and its rests with them but there is no plan at this time to change that, obviously we continue to listen and seek guidance from he command table and Dr. Williams on the way forward,” said Lecce.

Toronto Public Health told the board it doesn’t believe the school needs to shut down, given there is a higher percentage of cases in the surrounding community.

Meantime, the province has announced that a new portal for financial assistance for Ontario parents is now open.

Minister Lecce says parents will receive between $200 and $250 per child, as announced in the budget.

Premier Ford says the government has introduced stronger security measures as its rolls out this second round of payments including spot audits and bank validations following allegations of fraud during the first round of payments.

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