Ontario has shared news of four confirmed cases of the Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV).
Health officials anticipated these first cases and the overall risk to Ontario is considered low. As student and staff safety is a primary concern for Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board, we will continue to monitor the situation through local, provincial and federal partners and communicate with families as necessary.
Members of the public are advised by the Ministry of Health to take the usual measures to reduce the risk of transmission of the flu and respiratory illness.
Our families, students and staff should:
- Get a yearly influenza vaccination, available from clinics and pharmacies (for flu only);
- Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and water or use an alcohol-based sanitizer;
- Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze;
- If you don’t have a tissue, sneeze or cough into your sleeve or arm; and
- If you or your family members are ill, stay home.
Letter to Families from Chief Medical Officer of Health:
Please access the letter to families from Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. David Williams: Letter from Chief Medical Officer of Health
Students and staff are not permitted to wear masks at school – if you are ill, please stay home:
As a school board, we depend on the expertise of health agencies, who have not recommended that healthy members of the public wear masks.
“Wearing masks when you are well is not an effective measure. Sometimes it can actually present some risks, as you are putting your fingers up and down on your face, removing your mask, putting them next to your eyes,” Dr. Teresa Tam, Chief Public Health Officer of Canada has said.
Masks can also heighten anxiety.
Heightened Concern:
Events like this can cause feelings of uncertainty and anxiety. Here are some tips to support our community at this time:
- Be patient with yourself and those close to you.
- Take care of yourself.
- Eat healthy, drink plenty of water, and get enough rest.
- If you are feeling overwhelmed, consider taking a break from the news and social media.
- Provide children with age-appropriate factual information.
- Please reach out to the school if support is needed.
More information:
- Ontario Ministry of Health: www.ontario.ca/coronavirus
- Hamilton Public Health Services: https://www.hamilton.ca/public-health
- Public Health Agency of Canada: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection.html
- Government of Canada Travel Advice and Advisory: https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/advisories/pneumonia-china