Guidelines on how to deal with outbreaks in schools

BY PAUL JUNOR

The Ministry of Education released a 21-page document on Wednesday, August 15^th, 2020 to address real questions about what to do in case of a positive outbreak of COVID-19 in a school (www.ontario.ca).

It is “Intended to support school boards and school authorities in preparation for the safe reopening of schools for the 2020-2021 school year.” In addition, “It is meant to involve diverse stakeholders who work in collaboration with local public health units and other local health partners to ensure that schools can re-open safely.”

Premier Doug Ford stated on August 26^th, 2020 “We have robust plans for schools and school boards so that when a case or an outbreak occurs, everyone knows what to do, so we can quickly find, isolate and contain the virus.”

The document defines an outbreak as, “Two or more lab confirmed COVID-19 cases in students and/or staff in a school with an epidemiological link, within a 14-day period, where at least one case could have reasonably acquired  their infection in the school (including transportation and before or after school care).” The following two criteria will be used to identify an outbreak:

1. At least fourteen days from the last outbreak associated case (including five student, staff, essential visitor, or anyone else in the school during the outbreak).
2. No further symptomatic individuals with tests pending

The document outlines the specific roles of administrators and school boards such as is listed below:

1. Implement preventative measures found in guidance from the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health
2. Co-operate with the local Public Health Unit, and others as required
3. Communicate with early years partners about COVID-19 in schools and boards
4. Maintain accurate records of staff, students and visitors. Schools should be able to produce information regarding students and staff members in any and all class cohorts (i.e. classroom, busy before and after school programs, extracurricular activities)
5. Up-to-date records must be provided to the local public health unit within 24-hours of the request to ensure timely follow-up

There is a lot of responsibility that has been placed on schools such that “Schools should report all instances of ill individuals in the school setting in the Public Health Unit (PHU) as these are frequent occurrences and typically students have non-specific concerns.” There is exception such that “School principals are required to report to the medical officer of health if they are of the opinion that a student has or may have a communicable disease,” according to Section 28 of the Health and Protection and Promotion Act.

It will be up to principals to get in touch with public health if he or she has specific issues related to a student’s absence or attendance.

There are specific protocols in place with respect to communication with parents, students and staff, which are listed below:

1. All school boards will be asked to create a COVID-19 advisory section on their website (if they have websites)
2. School boards and schools will be asked to post information if there is a confirmed case of COVID-19 that involves a student or a staff member in a school setting
3. Students or staff members may withdraw from school if a family or household member has a confirmed case of COVID-19, but information will not be posted on these instances
4. In the interest of privacy, information provided to school communities will not identify the student or staff member that received a positive COVID-19 test
5. If public health advises that a class cohort or a school should be closed for a period of time, parents, students and staff will be notified immediately
6. Notice of any closure of classes, cohorts or schools will be posted on school and school board COVID-19 advisory section