All posts by robinthemayor

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SCHOOL BUS CLEANING POLICY

On Tuesday, Director Stephen SLIWA, UCDSB and Superintendent Marsha MCNAIR met with me (virtually) to discuss the COVID-19 outbreak in the village and area. Recognizing the need to be in sync with our containment and mitigation strategies, we shared our plans and concerns.

I always fInd Director SLIWA to be a good listener and strong leader for the Board and this was consistent during our meeting. I shared that I have been asked several times what COVID-19 school bus cleaning policy had been established by the board. He has provided the attached document and I have cut and pasted the relevant portion. See the link below if you wish to read the full COVID-19 Transportation Response Policy

Cleaning of Vehicles

  • A hard-surface disinfectant for use against COVID-19 as authorized by Health Canada will be utilized on high touch areas including handrails and seats in between each school run.
  • Enhanced cleaning/disinfection to handrails, seats, seat belts, windows, walls below windows, steering wheel, driver controls and other parts that are commonly used and that may have been touched will also occur twice per day following the completion of each shift.

Click to access STEO-COVID-19-TRANSPORTATION-RESPONSE-PLAN-AUGUST-17-2020.pdf

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COVID vaccines ON THEIR WAY IN ONTARIO

Thanks to MPP Steve Clark for arranging a briefing with the Premier and Retired General Hillier today. The 444 Ontario Mayors learned that the roll out of vaccines in Ontario will begin shortly. It is all good news!.

General Hillier explained that the province will be supplied by Pfizer and Moderna. Both vaccines require two shots, 21 days apart. Distribution will be phased in with the most vulnerable in Phase #1. The general population should receive vaccinations beginning in (approximately) April and continue for 6-9 months.

There will be more information made available to you in the next few weeks from the Ministry of Health. Until then, there is a plan and it will roll out in 2021.

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MUNICIPAL BUILDINGS CLOSED UNTIL DECEMBER 21, 2020

The Community Emergency Control Group met this afternoon to discuss the COVID-19 outbreak in Westport. The meeting included a briefing from Dr Paula Stewart, Medical Officer of Health for Leeds, Grenville & Lanark Health Unit.

This outbreak of COVID-19 requires measures to contain community spread and mitigate its impact on the community.  One of the strategies is to reduce opportunities for people to gather.  With this in mind, the CECG recommended that all municipal buildings in the Village be closed until December 21, 2020. I have issued an Emergency Order to that effect. The municipal buildings closed are Town Hall, library and community centre/arena.

Individuals also have an important job in containing the virus. Everyone needs to follow the basic public health measures including, continue to stay home when possible and wear a mask/face covering when out in public, practise physical distancing of 2 metres and wash your hands frequently.

Westport is a community of people related by kin and friendship who have worked together in the past to achieve our goals. There is no doubt that our common goal is clear – control the spread of the virus. We are stronger together – each of us performing our role to the best of our ability.  This is a point in time when we need to believe in our strengths, support each other and remember to be kind. 

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Confirmed Case of COVID-19 at Rideau Vista Public School

Upper Canada District School Board  Media Release – 06DEC20 @ 6:10 P.M.

Parents/guardians and staff at Rideau Vista Public School received notification today that an individual at the school has tested positive for COVID-19.   

The Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit is closely monitoring the situation and has followed up to isolate all students and staff who have had a high-risk exposure.  Both the health unit and the school are taking all necessary steps to prevent further spread of the virus in the school and community. 

The school remains open and operating on the regular daily schedule.  
 
The health unit encourages parents/guardians to continue to use the COVID-19 School Screening Tool prior to each school day, as well as regular public health recommendations to reduce the spread of COVID-19.   

Testing for COVID-19 is not recommended unless you are experiencing symptoms or have been directed to get tested by public health. If symptoms develop, immediately self-isolate, contact the health unit and get tested at a local assessment centre.  
 
The health unit and the school board do not release details about a COVID-19 case in a school directly to the public. You can find more information about COVID-19 cases in our schools on our COVID-19 Advisory Information page, or on the Government of Ontario website.  
 
Schools report confirmed COVID-19 cases to the provincial government and it is tracked on the provincial website. It can take up to 24 to 48 hours for the information to be posted, based on the timing of reporting.  
 

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COVID-19 outbreak update

I have attached below the letter that is being sent to staff and students at St Edward Catholic School. Due to test results, the Board of Health now considers the situation at St Ed’s an outbreak.

At this point in time, I encourage everyone to be actively involved in reducing community spread and infection control. Until we get a sense of the number of people testing positive, please consider all of the containment and mitigation strategies that have been practiced since March. Stay at home if you can and avoid get-togethers with people outside the household,, wear masks and maintain 2 m distance, wash your hands frequently.

If you develop any possible symptoms, please self isolate and call to make an appointment at the Assessment Centre for testing.

For more information, go to the Board of Heath website . www.healthunit.org

Letter being sent to staff and students:

Parents and teachers at St Edward Catholic School in Westport received letters earlier this week concerning possible exposure to COVID-19. The Health Unit has been in contact with all staff and parents/guardians of students to isolate high-risk contacts and provide guidance, and testing has been completed at the school. 

As a result of the testing completed on Thursday, December 3, the situation at St Edward Catholic School is now considered an outbreak. An outbreak in a school is defined as two or more lab-confirmed COVID-19 cases in students and/or staff in a school with an epidemiological link, within a 14-day period, where at least one case could have reasonably acquired their infection in the school (including transportation and before or after school care). The Health Unit has worked with the Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario and St Edward Catholic School in the decision to close St Edward Catholic School until until all the results from the testing have been reviewed. At that point a definite date will be decided with the school board and shared with parents. Closing the school is a precautionary measure to reduce further spread of COVID-19.

In the interest of privacy, information about an individual with COVID-19 will not be provided, nor details of the class or grade affected. We kindly ask that if you know details to refrain from posting these publicly; be kind and resist the temptation to speculate or share rumours. We all deserve to have our personal health information protected.

Staff or parents/guardians with questions can contact the Health Unit’s school team at 1-866-236-0123.