As you are aware, we currently have a COVID-19 outbreak on the Burin Peninsula. The majority of these cases are in children under the age of 12, who are not yet eligible for vaccination. 🧵 THREAD // (1/15)
https://twitter.com/GovNL/status/1454155841540657157
Until now, the evidence indicated that COVID-19 cases in schools were more often the result of transmission that occurred in the community. This is changing. (2/15)
@EasternHealthNL's investigation into the current outbreak revealed the spread of COVID-19 occurred in school, throughout grades K-6. (3/15)
Several other Canadian jurisdictions are also reporting outbreaks in schools as well as a rising proportion of COVID-19 cases in children under age 12. This is due to the more contagious #DeltaVariant. (4/15)
Our most recent outbreak resulted in two schools moving to online learning. Public health strives to have schools open to in-person learning to the greatest extent possible, for the health and well-being of children. (5/15)
Effective Monday, November 1, we are making two changes:
1️⃣ First, we are extending the Special Measures Order for masking to include students in kindergarten to grade 3 and staff in regulated child care centres.... (6/15)
1️⃣ First, we are extending the Special Measures Order for masking to include students in kindergarten to grade 3 and staff in regulated child care centres.... (6/15)
...This means that masks will be req. at all times indoors, including when children are seated in their classrooms. We do recognize that some younger children may have difficulty wearing a mask appropriately for a longer duration but every little bit of protection helps. (7/15)
2️⃣ Second, after consultations with the Department of Education and school districts, cohorting will once again be required indoors, and to the greatest extent possible outdoors, for regulated child care centres and grades K-6 in schools... (8/15)
...Limiting the interaction between classes will reduce the spread of COVID-19, in the event it makes its way into a school or daycare. (9/15)
We are not recommending any changes for grades 7 and above, as a good proportion of that population is fully vaccinated and there is no indication of increased COVID-19 spread in those grades through school activities at this time. (10/15)
I know that there are many worried parents on the Burin Peninsula right now and I certainly understand the concerns. We are more than a week into this outbreak and @EasternHealthNL has a good handle on the situation. (11/15)
I want to assure you that if your child’s school is open for in-person learning that means public health considers it safe for them to attend. (12/15)
These additional public health measures are not forever. They are temporary, until school-aged children have the opportunity to be fully vaccinated.
We are hopeful that @GovCanHealth will soon grant approval of the Pfizer vaccine for children aged 5 to 11... (13/15)
We are hopeful that @GovCanHealth will soon grant approval of the Pfizer vaccine for children aged 5 to 11... (13/15)
...Once approved, we will be rolling out our immunization program for this age group, which is about 35,000 children in our province.
Until then, we need to ensure a balanced approach that reduces the risk of COVID-19 transmission for the well-being of children. (14/15)
Until then, we need to ensure a balanced approach that reduces the risk of COVID-19 transmission for the well-being of children. (14/15)
Have a safe and fun Halloween and hold fast Newfoundland and Labrador. ♥ (15/15)
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