One of the focal points of the Hastings Prince Edward Public Health Unit’s Covid-19 update Thursday was the funding allowed for school focused nurses.
The province has committed to $50 million in funding for school-focused nurses. Dr. Ethan Toumishey said HPE public health will be hiring up to six school-focused nurses to support back to school.
“Hastings Prince Edward Public Health will receive provincial funding for up to six nursing positions. This is good news for our region as this additional investment in public health will further support school boards and schools.” – Dr. Ethan Toumishey
Another key topic of the update was the status of face masks in the return to school plan.
Toumishey and Dr. Alexa Caturay said that medical and non-medical face masks are effective for students returning to school, but the science behind droplet transmission prevention doesn’t support face shields.
In terms of non-medical face coverings, the requirements are that they cover the nose, mouth and chin and parents are encouraged to find one their child can tolerate easiest. Caturay emphasized the importance of masks in a school setting.
“In any setting where children are going to be together we are asking that children wear masks or face coverings. For grades four to 12 or children aged 10 and up, those are a requirement.” – Dr. Alexa Caturay
For students in kindergarten to grade three Caturay said masks are not mandatory, but strongly encouraged.
Class sizes and physical distancing for schools in the area as students return this fall will vary from school to school. Toumishey explained that due to the variety of schools and spaces being used there is no one answer about physical distancing in a school setting.
“The solutions, operations that we may see in each school are going to be optimized to that environment. So we won’t be able to give a specific answer that covers across the schools at this point.” – Dr. Ethan Toumishey
He went on to say that physical distancing in the school setting is one of the main focuses of the back to school plan.
It was also emphasized that social distancing and the already talked about hygiene protocols are still being advised Situations where social distancing isn’t possible should be avoided as well.
The health unit just introduced a back to school planning information page on its website where more detailed information can be found.
