Public health officials in Sudbury are calling on hands on deck to ensure that local students have the safest possible return to school in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.
Public Health Sudbury and Districts (PHSD) announced Friday it is taking all possible safeguards and working with education officials to ensure everything is in place as thousands of students will be returning to classes next week, for the first time the schools were closed back on March 13 -- nearly 26 weeks ago.
“Our goal is to provide clear guidance in these uncertain times to support families and school communities,” said Dr. Penny Sutcliffe, PHSD Medical Officer of Health
“We recognize that return to school is anxiety-causing for many students, educators, and all who care for and about students. We urge everyone to follow the Top 10 COVID-19 Basic Rules for Safe Schools. And, make no mistake—we are all responsible for successful school opening. The best way to protect schools and kids is by the actions of all of us to keep COVID-19 out of our communities,” she added.
PHSD said it has developed various resources for schools, school boards, and parents to help them follow COVID-safe school protocols. For example, a visual roadmap was created to help schools understand the steps to take if a student, staff, or visitor becomes ill at school.
“We are ready to support schools and provide immediate assistance to prevent cases and to respond if cases of COVID-19 are reported,” said Sutcliffe. She added that PHSD has reorganized to focus dedicated staff members to supporting the back to school effort.
"This is our first ever modern-day school opening in the midst of a pandemic. We need all hands on deck."
Sutcliffe added there are several protocols in place to protect students and staff if they develop symptoms while at school or if there is a positive case reported in a school. She said this includes a new daily checklist of ensuring no one in the house has any symptoms.
"Every day, parents and guardians (and students themselves) must check for symptoms and not allow students to go to school if they have any COVID-19 symptoms. If a student starts to feel unwell while at school, they must let an adult know right away. The student will be kept apart from others while waiting to be picked up," said the PHSD statement.
Parents or guardians will be asked to have their child’s symptoms assessed and determine if testing is needed. If testing is not needed, the student can return to school after being symptom-free for at least 24 hours.
If however testing is needed, the student must stay away from school and self-isolate until test results are known. PHSD has said anyone with even one symptom should be tested.
If testing is needed but families choose not to proceed with testing, students are required to self-isolate and be away from school for 14 days, unless the PHSD directs otherwise.
The health unit is also prepared if a case of COVID-19 is reported at school. PHSD said each specific situation will be handled based on the findings of Public Health’s investigation. Public Health will work very closely with school principals in these instances. Anyone who was in close contact with the infected person will be advised to go home and self isolate for 14 days and get tested for COVID-19. This could include other students or teacher(s) from the person’s class, school transportation, extracurricular activities, and before- and after-school programs.
If two or more confirmed COVID-19 cases in students or staff in a school are linked to each other, an outbreak will be declared by Public Health. In this happens, the Medical Officer of Health will determine who must stay away from school and self-isolate and be tested.
The health unit has online resources for anyone seeking additional information or they can telephone Public Health Sudbury & Districts at 705.522.9200 (toll-free 1.866.522.9200).
