COVID-19 spreads in Marathon, impacting second school Cases have jumped to double-digits in recent weeks, with outbreaks at two schools and a nearby mine Dec 13, 2020 3:12 PM By: TbNewsWatch.com Staff The town of Marathon has seen a rapid jump in COVID-19 cases in recent weeks. MARATHON, Ont. – The small town of Marathon is grappling with the rapid spread of COVID-19 cases, with two schools and a nearby mine now affected by outbreaks. The number of cases in the town of just over 3,000 had risen to 16 as of Friday, just weeks after the community’s first case was announced on Nov. 24.