August 27th COVID-19 update: Dr. Hinshaw addresses back to school concerns

Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Deena Hinshaw is recommending that families with school age children check out the Alberta Government’s Online Tool Kit for School Re-entry.

“It provides an online guide of seven languages on what you can do to prepare for the new school year,” said Hinshaw.

The doctor said the guides are based on the best available science and reviews of education from around the world.

She also recommends that anyone interested in reopening of schools look at the Resource Guide for COVID-19 Outbreaks in School.

“That guide sets out specific protocols should a school experience a single person with symptoms, a confirmed case, or multiple cases leading to an outbreak being declared,” said Hinshaw.

However, the document does not discuss the events that would need to occur for a school closure. Hinshaw says that is because each situation is meant to be dealt with separately with a full assessment.

“We will be carefully monitoring the implementation of in-school learning in Alberta. This in-school monitoring will be used to detect any early signs of concerns that will inform ongoing evaluation of our public health advice and school re-entry plan,” said Hinshaw.

Dr. Hinshaw addressed a number of questions involving safe school re-entry during the update. She believes that information may be key in addressing anxiety involving going back to school.

The doctor thanked school staff, administration, teachers, and parents for taking all the necessary steps in a safe school re-entry.

Additionally, the doctor noted that Albertans can get the earliest results from their COVID-19 tests from MyHealth Records Alberta. The website keeps personal health records that anyone 14 and older can access online.