News Release - COVID-19 and School Reopening - Public Health Information for Families Available August 25, 2020

NORTH BAY, ON – On July 30, 2020, the provincial government announced the September reopening of Ontario schools. In response to this announcement, the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit (Health Unit) has been working diligently with school boards to support a safer return to school.

As part of this initiative, the Health Unit has created a guidance document titled COVID-19 and School Reopening – Public Health Information for Families. The document helps to answer many questions parents and guardians may have as they prepare their children for the return to school. COVID-19 and School Reopening – Public Health Information for Families will be available on the Health Unit’s website on August 25, 2020 – two weeks prior to the proposed start of classes.

The Health Unit wishes to congratulate and thank all of you for your cooperation and sacrifices that have helped to prevent our loved ones, friends and neighbours from becoming ill with COVID-19. Your efforts have resulted in reducing the spread of this virus throughout our district. While we continue to experience very low levels of disease, it is not the time to become unconcerned. Keeping the levels of COVID-19 low within our communities will significantly help to reduce the risk to our children and make the return-to-school safer and successful for all.

The Health Unit encourages everyone to remain ‘COVID Kind’ and continue to support each other through these unprecedented times. Continue to follow public health measures including physical distancing, wearing a face covering, washing or sanitizing hands often, coughing or sneezing into your sleeve.

Currently, there is no specific treatment for COVID-19. It is important to remember that some people with COVID-19 have no symptoms or mild symptoms. People who are mildly ill should isolate and care for themselves at home. Most will recover in one to two weeks by simply treating the symptoms. For more information on COVID-19 visit myhealthunit.ca/COVID-19.

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Media Inquiries:

Alex McDermid, Public Relations Specialist
P: 705-474-1400, ext. 5221 or 1-800-563-2808
E: communications@healthunit.ca