Toronto schools shut down amid third wave of infections By ROB GILLIES Associated Press April 6, 2021 — 7:18pm Text size Copy shortlink: TORONTO — Schools in Canada's largest city will shut down Wednesday and move to online learning because of a third surge of coronavirus infections fueled by more-contagious virus variants. Toronto Medical Officer of Health Dr. Eileen de Villa said in a statement stronger measures are needed to reverse the surge. "The spread of COVID-19 has never been greater in Toronto, with variants of concern increasing both the risk of transmission and the risk of serious illness or death," de Villa said in a statement.