In response to the need for enhanced protection against the new more transmissible COVID-19 variants of concern (VOC), the Ministry of Health has introduced stricter self-isolation and school screening requirements.
Enhanced self-isolation requirements are in place for all household contacts of individuals who have even one symptom of COVID-19.
Under the new guidance, all household members of an individual with even one symptom of COVID-19 are required to stay home and self-isolate until the individual with symptoms receives a negative COVID-19 test result or receives an alternate diagnosis by a health-care professional.
If the individual with symptoms does not seek COVID-19 testing, all household contacts must isolate for 14 days from their last contact with that symptomatic individual.
The provincial COVID 19 self-assessment and COVID-19 school and child-care screener have been updated to include this change and also require anyone who has a new or worsening symptom of COVID-19 — even if only one symptom — to stay home and self-isolate, again until they receive a negative COVID-19 test result, an alternative diagnosis by a health care professional or it has been 10 days since their symptom started and they are feeling better.
The local medical officer of health is supportive of the provincial government's new and stricter rules for self-isolation and school screening.
"It has become more rigorous," said Dr. Charles Gardner, medical officer of health for Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit. "That's important for people to be aware of and very important to be able to keep our schools safe."
The rules, according to the province, are meant to help contain the new, more transmissible variant strains of COVID-19.
All students must complete a daily screening tool before going to school. The health unit states elementary students should be screened by their parent/caregiver daily and secondary students can screen themselves, but a parent or caregiver should check that the screen is done.
"Schools will be confirming that students have completed and passed daily self-screening," states the health unit website.
The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit website has more information for students and families about attending school.
- With files from Erika Engel