Back to SearchNIPISSING & PARRY SOUND, ON – The North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit (Health Unit) continues to monitor the COVID-19 situation in schools closely, to help continue in-person learning during the Stay-at-Home Order.
Earlier this week Peel Public Health and Toronto Public Health both issued Section 22 orders under the Ontario Health Protection and Promotion Act to close schools for in-person learning. Both health unit districts saw significant increases in case counts and the spread of variants in the community.
“Many students in our district face barriers to remote learning, and in some cases, barriers that go beyond access to internet and technology. Being at school with peers and educators has a positive impact on children and youth’s social, emotional and physical well-being. Due to these factors, we continue to monitor for COVID-19 in schools,” explains Louise Gagné, Director of Community Services. “Should there be evidence of COVID-19 transmission within schools locally, actions will be taken to help prevent further spread. Our schools boards have done a great job implementing all necessary measures to keep children and youth safely in school during the provincial Shutdown and the Stay-at-Home Order.”
The Health Unit’s district is not experiencing the same increases in case counts as some areas of southern Ontario, but this doesn’t mean we can ignore guidelines.
One of the best ways to protect our children, prevent outbreaks in schools, and keep them open, is to slow the spread of the virus in the community by following public health measures.
The public is reminded to continue to follow public health measures including:
- Everyone is required to remain at home except for essential purposes, such as going to the grocery store or pharmacy, accessing health care services (including getting vaccinated), for outdoor exercise , or for work that cannot be done remotely;
- Practicing physical distancing – staying two (2) metres from others who do not reside in your home or where you are living, and if you live alone, physically distancing from anyone outside your exclusive close contact home;
- Wearing a face covering indoors and outdoors as required and whenever physical distancing is difficult;
- Washing or sanitizing your hands often;
- Coughing and sneezing into your sleeve;
- Avoiding touching your eyes, nose or mouth;
- Cleaning high touch objects and surfaces often.
If you think you may have COVID-19 symptoms or have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive, first self-isolate and then use Ontario's Self-Assessment Tool to see if you need to seek testing or further care. If you need further assistance, call your health care provider or the Health Unit at 1-800-563-2808. If you have severe symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, you should call 911 and mention your symptoms if you are able.
Visit Ontario’s website to learn more about how the province continues to protect Ontarians from COVID-19.
For more information, please visit myhealthunit.ca/COVID-19.
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Media Inquiries:
Alex McDermid, Public Relations Specialist
P: 705-474-1400, ext. 5221 or 1-800-563-2808
E: communications@healthunit.ca
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