1) Quebec released its most detailed stats to date Monday on the #pandemic's impact on schools. The picture is not a reassuring one, with at least 144 classrooms shut down as of Sept. 11 due to #COVID19. In this thread, I will try to explain what this means for kids and teachers.

2) The chart below reveals that a total of 217 students have tested positive for the #coronavirus since the start of the school year. Of that number, nearly 88% study in the province’s packed public schools. However, it should be noted the province has far fewer private ones.

3) In addition, a total of 66 school employees — many of them teachers — have screened positive for the virus as well. At this stage, it’s likely that most students and teachers contracted the #coronavirus in the community, but outbreaks are now occurring in schools, too.

4) On Monday morning, a #COVID19 outbreak at the Séminaire Salésien forced the closure of a class in the Eastern Townships. Two classes were also shut down at the Deux-Soleils elementary school in Magog. And two Quebec City schools reported outbreaks Friday.

5) My analysis of #COVID19 stats by age group shows that the demographic that has observed the sharpest percentage increase in cases has comprised elementary and high school students. This group, aged 10-to-19, recorded a 14.63% spike in positive tests since Aug. 22.

6) A total of 486 students in this group tested positive. That compares with 852 in the 20-to-29 age group, which represents the highest increase as an absolute number of all demographics. But its percentage increase was 9.6, well below that of the 10-to-19 demographic.

7) So what does this all mean? Certainly, more children and teens are being tested for #COVID19 than ever before, leading to more positive results. At the same time, however, schools are struggling with clusters of cases, and outbreaks are flaring up in communities across Quebec.

8) What’s more, the government update lists a total of 172 affected schools. That compares with at least 280 where at least a school employee or student tested positive as of Monday night, according to http://covidecolesquebec.org . In Montreal, at least 69 schools have been impacted.

9) The situation in schools isn’t occurring in a vacuum. Quebec’s rolling seven-day average rose to 26.10 cases per million inhabitants Monday from 25.08 Sunday. A third Quebec City bar, Pub X, confirmed an outbreak as the capital declared 60 new #COVID cases, more than Montreal.

10) Despite precautions imposed on bars, outbreaks have continued in drinking establishments, with those in Quebec City being blamed for the spread of the #coronavirus among high school students. Wouldn’t it be the prudent thing now to close bars for the sake of our children?

11) Many Quebec schools have lead in their water. Some schools are so dilapidated that they have mold and asbestos in them. Proper ventilation is also a problem. In the context of the #pandemic, wouldn’t it now make sense to require students to wear masks in class? End of thread.