TO PARENTS AND STAFF
We are inviting you to read the following letter from the Alberta Chief Medical Officer of Health providing parents and staff an update on the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).
With no widespread transmission of COVID-19 in Canada, and no confirmed or probable cases in Alberta at this time, the Public Health Agency of Canada along with our Provincial Health Authorities are recommending that schools take standard respiratory illness precautions. These are the same precautions that are recommended each year for cold and influenza season. Therefore we will reinforce our actions to support the key strategies to prevent and control respiratory viruses, including COVID-19, in schools and childcare settings which are:
- For students/children and staff who are ill with fever and/or infectious respiratory symptoms to stay home from school/childcare
- The consistent practice of good respiratory etiquette and hand hygiene
- Schools will be reviewing hand washing techniques which is part of our flu season processes
- To ensure regular and routine environmental cleaning of facilities
Here is the link to the letter from Alberta Health Services.
While the current risk is low, the School Division is monitoring the situation very closely and is ready to take whatever action is deemed necessary as directed by Public Health Officials.
George McGuigan
Superintendent of Schools