Since the restart of in-person learning in Durham Region schools, nurses have been visiting schools to educate and monitor compliance of Covid-19 regulations.
“…School public health nurses (PHNs) have been visiting schools to review the recommended infection prevention and control (IPAC) measures and provide support to school communities in the implementation of school boards’ Covid-19 health and safety plans,” said Durham Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Robert Kyle.
School PHNs are a school’s key public health contact for IPAC support, guidance, surveillance, screening and management of Covid-19 cases or outbreak within schools; this includes facilitating Covid-19 testing, as required, he said in a recent statement.
Dr. Kyle said school PHNs also support communication with families and the broader school community regarding Covid-19 protocols, and can support mental health and well-being of school communities by providing resources and connecting staff and students with community supports.
He said it is important that parents continue to remain vigilant to stop the spread of Covid-19. Parents are responsible for screening their children for symptoms of illness every day using the provincial Covid-19 school and childcare screening tool. Parents are also required to have children stay at home if children are not feeling well. Together we can keep school communities healthy and safe.
Durham Region area schools reopened for in-person learning, as classes resumed from February 8.
Provincially-mandated enhanced public health measures have been established for all school communities which include:
- All students in grades one to 12 are required to wear a mask. This applies in classrooms and in hallways, before and after school programs, and on student transportation. Kindergarten students are strongly encouraged to wear masks.
- All students in grades one to 12 and school staff are required to wear a mask outdoors when physical distancing cannot be consistently maintained.
- Effective February 10, secondary students are required to provide daily confirmation/proof that they have self screened and must wear a mask while on school premises.
- School staff and essential visitors are required to provide daily confirmation/proof of having completed the daily screening prior to arrival.
- All essential visitors to the school are required to wear a mask.
- Students, parents and staff are not to congregate in, or around school property.
For more information about Covid-19 and the reopening of schools visit durham.ca/schoolsreopening.