Ontario is closing all public schools for two weeks following March break amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Premier Doug Ford announced Thursday.

It came as the province announced 17 new confirmed cases — its biggest surge to date — bringing the total to 59.

The decision to close schools from March 14 to April 5 is based on advice from Ontario’s chief medical officer of health, Ford said in a joint statement with Health Minister Christine Elliott and Education Minister Stephen Lecce.

“We recognize the significant impact this decision will have on families, students, schools, as well as the broader community, but this precaution is necessary to keep people safe,” they said.

Chief medical officer of health Dr. David Williams said that he was concerned both with the likelihood of many children travelling over March break, and the fact that two of the new cases Ontario announced Thursday were in people under the age of 18. One is a baby.

“That substantiated my concerns that children can have it,” he said. “While I don’t believe there’s much illness, it does give the potential of bringing back infection and introducing it into various settings, including schools and daycares.”

Lecce said “continuity of learning” during the extended closure is important, and he is looking at options with an eye to making another announcement shortly.

“There is a plan that is being finalized that will ensure learning continues in this province for students in Ontario,” he said.

After those two weeks, Lecce said he will re-evaluate the situation and see if further steps are required.

Western University in London, Ont., said classes from Friday until Tuesday will be cancelled, and any exams during that time will be rescheduled.

The university also said that, as of Wednesday, classes will be online through to the end of term.