Ontario has unveiled its plan on dealing with COVID-19 outbreaks in schools.
Premier Doug Ford says it outlines different scenarios in case one or more students or staff become infected with the virus.
“These guidance documents were developed in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health and other health experts. Our top medical advisors have reviewed, provided input, and have put their stamp of approval on all the guidelines,” explains Ford.
It will be up to school principals to decide on whether parents or local health officials are contacted.
According to the new plan, if there is one positive case in a single cohort of students, the entire group can be sent home to self-isolate.
It is possible for a whole school to be shuttered if there there is an outbreak in the school and the possibility of widespread transmission.
The government says key elements of the guidance document explain:
• The role of school boards and schools: keeping communities informed by creating a COVID-19 advisory section on both the board and school’s websites;
• The role of local public health units: leading case and contact tracing activities, declaring outbreaks and directing closure of classrooms or schools where necessary;
• The critical role of parents: screening their children every day before they go to school and keeping them home if they are ill;
• Appropriate steps to take when a student or staff member tests positive for COVID-19, including notifying the school community while respecting individual privacy; and
• Protocols to trigger various levels of public health responses or infection control measures. One case will trigger a public health response, two or more linked cases will trigger the declaration of an outbreak.
