The province’s chief medical health officer says at this time Saskatchewan schools are going to remain open.
Dr. Saqib Shahab said Sunday morning that while concern over the spread of COVID-19 is rising, the risk remains low right now, but is increasing. Shahab says the key is ensuring we are taking measures as individuals to maintain social distancing including staying home if sick and keeping children out of school if sick.
“Any recommendation to close schools is based on risk assessment and made on a case-by-case basis,” Shahab said. “The decision to close schools should not be made in the absence of valid public health reasons and the benefits and risks need to be considered carefully.”
The positive cases in Saskatchewan are still primarily travel-related and there is no sustained community transmission at this time. As we learn more or if the situation changes there could be school closures locally on the direction of the local Medical Health Officer or more broadly on the direction of the Chief Medical Health Officer.
The criteria for school closures is based on a number of factors including:
• Evidence of sustained transmission within the community
• Rapid increase of local cases
• Transmission without a known link to travel or confirmed cases.
The province has also added a self-assessment tool to its website that they hope will ease the pressure on health providers and Healthline 811.
For the latest advice to the public and information on prevention measures being taken, visit www.saskatchewan.ca/coronavirus.
