Updates and FAQs about COVID-19
School District No. 58 (Nicola-Similkameen) – COVID-19 FAQs
School District No. 58 (Nicola-Similkameen) Schools’ top priority is always the safety of our staff and students. Given the current global health issue of the COVID-19 virus, we continue to work closely with local and provincial health authorities to get the latest information and ensure we cooperate with any recommended measures.
Since the risk of COVID-19 infection in BC remains low according to health authorities, the Provincial Health Officer currently recommends no changes to school routines. However, we continue to educate on best practices for prevention of viral illness, including frequent and thorough handwashing, coughing and sneezing into an arm or tissue, encouraging people to stay home from school or work when they are sick, keep clean, and maintain existing food/container sharing policies.
Questions:
Do any teachers or students in the district have COVID-19? Is anyone in isolation?
We are not aware of any individual cases in School District No. 58 (Nicola-Similkameen) Schools, but the Interior Health Authority currently reports no public health risk at schools in the region.
Are schools prepared for the possibility of COVID-19 infection?
As we have since this global health issue arose, we continue to work with the Ministry of Education to update pandemic response plans to prepare should COVID-19 become an issue in BC schools.
The Provincial Health Officer and our local health authority assures us that the risk of COVID-19 infection is low. We actively communicate best practice prevention measures to our students and staff – thorough handwashing, coughing and sneezing into an arm or tissue and staying home from school or work when people are sick.
Does the cleanliness of schools/classrooms increase risk?
As always, we continue to thoroughly clean schools, including disinfecting shared surfaces and facilities.
Should my child wear a mask at school?
Provincial health authorities do not recommend the use of masks as a method of prevention. Masks are indicated for people who have symptoms to reduce their risk of spreading virus through droplets produced when coughing or sneezing. Children who have symptoms should be kept home from school/childcare rather than relying on masks.
