The Northwestern Health Unit says it continues to work closely with local school boards to monitor the coronavirus.
Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kit Young Hoon says there are no confirmed school cases in the north.
“If there is a positive case in a school. School boards and schools are required to post information if there is a confirmed case of COVID-19 that involves a student or staff member. If parents have questions about that case, they should contact the child’s school.”
The exact school won’t be reported by local health officials unless its deemed an emergency.
Dr. Kit Young Hoon adds there are new guidelines in place if parents think their child has the virus.
“They can get them tested for COVID-19 at an Assessment Centre. If they get a positive result then Northwestern Health Unit will follow up with that individual. If they get a negative result they can return to school after symptoms of an infectious illness have been gone for at least 24 hours.”
They can also return after 24 hours if a child receives an alternate diagnosis or is not recommended testing for COVID-19.
Parents are asked to speak to their child’s school if it’s an existing condition that they are aware of.
Dr. Kit Young Hoon notes “If a health care provider recommends testing, and for some reason the child is not tested, then they must stay home for 14 days since the day that the symptoms started.”
She adds “There is a school based screening tool that’s on the Ontario website for COVID-19 and every parent should use that in the morning for every student in order to determine whether their child can go to school.”
No doctors note is needed for any illness right now.
COVID-19 has made it into the school system, albeit in southern Ontario.
There are 29 reported cases as of Tuesday, 14 related to staff.
The education ministry in Quebec reported Tuesday there are 283 cases of the coronavirus in preschool, elementary and high schools as well as adult education centres.
There is at least one case of the virus in 172 schools across the province.
