Last week, Dr Shanker Nesathurai called on the province to step up public health measures as hospitalizations for the disease rise with a number of other COVID-19 indicators. Today, Nesaturai said local schools should consider taking their own measures. “I think it’s perfectly appropriate for schools to use their policy levers to demand a mask when children go to school and that would be our recommendation in school districts,” the doctor told a Health Unit media briefing. County Windsor-Essex (WECHU). . “We are concerned about absenteeism from schools, we are also concerned about absenteeism among hospital staff and … this is an additional burden on public bodies, including schools and hospitals.” WECHU meets regularly with school staff to discuss public health best practices and provide advice and guidance. While no specific directive has been issued for the board on the use of the mask, Nesaturai remains in his message today. “This is my advice today, I think I have shared such advice in the past,” he said. “I think where we are in the pandemic today, school boards should have a cover-up policy.” Nesaturai has not issued a local order to resume mask use in schools or the general public in the area. The doctor said again this week that a provincial direction would be preferred, as a regional approach is needed for the virus to spread. “I believe the severity of the disease at the moment can reasonably be described as a challenge more across the province than a local health district challenge per health area,” said Dr Nesathurai. With the province in the hands of the sixth wave of the pandemic, some are calling for a return to compulsory mask use in the classrooms. It’s something that Ottawa public council executives voted on last week, even though it goes against provincial rules. Greater Essex District School Committee chair Alicia Higgison said the issue would be discussed at a board meeting next Tuesday, but that the board was limited to what they could do legally. Higginson said officials are urging the local health department and county to consider taking precautionary measures again.
Sewage data show COVID-19 close to Omicron levels
Local indicators indicate the virus is on the rise in Windsor-Essex, prompting the WECHU to be wary of Easter weekend rallies.
Sewage data show an increase in viral activity over the previous week, according to the latest epidemiological report.
“The intensity of the virus is almost at the peak of what we saw during the initial Omicron wave,” said Ramsey D’Souza, director of epidemiology at WECHU, referring to sewage data.
D’Souza said hospitalizations and visits to emergency departments related to respiratory problems have also increased. Most people experience symptoms such as cough, sore throat and nasal congestion and many cases are asymptomatic, he said.
On Thursday, WECHU reported that 57 people were being treated for COVID-19 locally, including two in intensive care.
There are 24 active cases in high-risk environments in the community, including 14 long-term care homes, four hospital units and six communities.
“We have not come out of the pandemic, but we must learn to live with COVID,” said Dr. Nesathurai.
The doctor said he understood the importance of family time during the holidays, but that individuals should assess the risks and take precautions such as wearing a mask, limiting the size of gatherings and taking into account the vaccination regime of people. so that the virus is not transmitted.
