Southwestern Public Health wants parents and guardians of school-aged children in Elgin and Oxford counties to know that if COVID-19 is confirmed positive within a student or a staff member, public health will let them know. To outline the established protocols Dr. Joyce Lock, medical officer of health for Southwestern Public Health held a teleconference this afternoon (Tuesday).
Discussed was the process should a child test positive in a school in the health unit’s coverage area.
Dr. Lock added, once the individual and their close contacts have been reached, the broader school community will receive an email from the school principal so that everyone is informed by a trusted source.
If a child travelling by bus tests positive for COVID-19, Dr. Lock explains which other students would be considered a close contact.
Dr. Lock adds, the most important step each day for parents and guardians is to ensure a child is healthy when they leave for school. If your child displays symptoms, keep them home and call your family health care provider or book an appointment at a local assessment centre.
Southwestern Public Health has an entire page dedicated to resources for educators and students heading back to the classroom during the COVID-19 pandemic at www.swpublichealth.ca/covid-19-school-support.
Here is an overview of the role of the school public health nurse per the school health guidance from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care:
- Prevention and Preparedness – ensuring schools have appropriate public health and infection prevention and control measures/resources
- Case and Contact Management – including direction for schools to facilitate return to school/work
- Outbreak Assessment and Management – work closely with schools to determine whom a case(s) was in contact with in the school environment during the period of communicability
- Surveillance
- Coordination and Communication
You can hear the full teleconference here:
