The Northwestern Health Unit will be vigilant when monitoring students and staff for the coronavirus to start the new school year.
Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kit Young Hoon says they have a great working relationship with school boards and the information is free-flowing.
“If there’s a case in school. Following up with that case and working with the school to make sure that the right actions are taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19. In addition we are working with schools and monitoring the number of ill students in schools.”
She notes they will also investigate to determine potential contacts and advise them to either self-monitor, self-isolate or get tested.
“We would connect with the student or the parent of the student and gather information about where the student has been. So really looking closely to see if they have possibly infected anyone.”
She adds they will work with the individual to determine when they can return to the classroom.
Dr. Young Hoon says a plan is also in place if there’s an outbreak in any school.
“If necessary we may work with the school to consider things like outbreak management or closure of part of the school or the full school. That will happen on a case-by-case basis depending on what we are seeing with cases and what we are seeing with illness in the school setting.”
She stresses the definition of an outbreak is at least two cases in a school setting where at least one case likely acquired COVID-19 in the school setting.
