A local school board has provided reassurance that all efforts are being made to combat the Chinese coronavirus.
The Windsor-Essex Catholic District School Board has joined other entities in monitoring the health situation. The BBC reported Tuesday night that over 100 people in China have died from the coronavirus, with over 4,500 people infected. The illness has also shown up in Canada, with two confirmed cases in Ontario and one identified Tuesday in British Columbia.
In a statement posted on the board's official website, Director of Education Terry Lyons said the administration is staying on top of the situation with the province.
"We want to reassure you that we are working together with the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education, as well as our local health care sector partners who are closely monitoring the situation in order to ensure the continued safety and well-being of students and staff," said Lyons.
Lyons cited the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit in saying that the risk of contracting the illness in the region "remains extremely low". However, should an outbreak occur, a protocol is in place to keep the effects to a minimum.
"The board does have a Pandemic Preparedness Plan which outlines specific measures that would be enacted in the event of an outbreak," said Lyons. "Further information about those steps will be shared in the event that the board needs to enact that plan."
The board has passed along guidelines from Ontario's Chief Medical Officer of Health on how to reduce the risk of becoming ill in any way during the winter season. These guidelines include getting a flu shot each year, washing hands frequently and thoroughly, using hand sanitizer, covering your mouth or nose when you sneeze or cough, and if you're sick, stay home.
