KPRDSB Issues Notice Concerning Wuhan Coronavirus

Pete Fisher
5 years ago
• Categories: Local

To All Parents/Guardians and Staff:
The purpose of this communication is to provide you with some information regarding the Wuhan Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV).
The safety and well-being of our students and staff is always our main priority.

We are following this issue closely, and we are working in close cooperation with our local health units. As we do when addressing all broad-based community health issues, we rely on local health authorities for advice, counsel and guidance as we move forward.

We understand, however, that there may be heightened apprehension or concern in our school communities.

We want to reassure you that:
We are ready and able to take whatever action regional health authorities recommend to reduce the risk to our school communities. At this time we have been given no additional or specific directions regarding the operation of our schools. Normal school days and activities are in effect.

Our schools are emphasizing with students, as we always do during the seasonal flu season, the importance of regular, thorough hand washing and good personal hygiene.

Our custodians always provide very thorough and effective cleaning and disinfecting of schools. In schools with higher rates of absence due to illness, additional sanitation procedures are put in place.

We are encouraging everyone to wash hands well and often with soap and warm water, and use “cover your cough” techniques. This includes coughing into your sleeve or arm.

As always, we are asking students and staff who are ill to remain at home until they are feeling better. If you are experiencing severe flulike symptoms, please contact a health professional.

Along with this letter, you may find further information on this issue online on our website, www.kprschools.ca, including a letter from Dr. David Williams, Chief Medical Officer for the province of Ontario, which contains important information about the current public health response to the Wuhan Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV).

As Dr. Williams says in his letter, “Students, parents and school communities should rest assured that the province is working together in close cooperation with its partners in both the education and health care sectors to ensure the continued safety and wellbeing of students and staff.”

You may wish to contact your local public health unit for additional information specific to your communities. Several webpage links are included below. Most importantly, students who are sick should be kept home, and not attend either regular school or before/after school programs until they are free of symptoms. Together, we will work to keep our students and staff safe and healthy.

Sincerely,Dr. Jennifer Leclerc
Director of Education