Niagara, Ont. students who are vaccinated won’t need to isolate if exposed to COVID-19 in class
Vaccinated students in Niagara, Ont. will no longer be told to isolate for seven days if there is a lab-confirmed case of COVID-19 in their class.
Instead, the isolation period will be restricted to unvaccinated students and staff—and will last for five days.
In an interview with NEWSTALK 610 CKTB, Niagara’s Acting Medical Officer of Health Dr. Mustafa Hirji said the new guidance is an update from “an earlier draft” following discussions with the region’s school boards.
“What we are going to be doing is that if there is a test confirmed case of COVID-19 in the class, we want to stop that transmission right in its tracks,” Hirji said. “And what we're going to do is we're going to have any unvaccinated students and staff have to be dismissed from that class for the next five days.”
“Vaccinated students will be able to remain in place.”
Students and staff who isolate will also need to show a negative rapid test prior to returning to school.
Last week, Hirji issued memos directing schools to monitor carbon dioxide levels in schools and to dismiss full cohorts after the discovery of a positive COVID-19 case, regardless of vaccination status. He also urged principals to report all detected cases of COVID-19, something the province is no longer requiring, and to require a medical exemption if students can’t wear masks.
The measures, which were considerably more stringent than in most other areas of the province, prompted Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kieran Moore to write a letter expressing “concern” over the direction.
In the letter, Moore strongly urges Hirji to “reconsider” his approach “in alignment with provincial direction.”
“You are aware that Niagara is the only jurisdiction in Ontario or Canada to continue this practice in the face of the increased transmissibility of the Omicron variant and that the negative consequences of school dismissal and closure are significant to the mental, social and education wellbeing of children and youth,” Moore wrote regarding the seven-day isolation period.
Hirji says the decision to adjust his directive was not swayed by Moore’s letter, but rather concern over staffing at schools.
“It was definitely a discussion with the school boards,” Hirji told NEWSTALK 610 CKTB Monday. “They're of course very stretched right now in terms of their staffing and being able to do everything, and we came to this compromise that rather than seven days, we would do five days—but five days plus a test.”
All other measures remain the same, Hirji added.
With files from Chris Herhalt
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
Broadcaster and commentator Rex Murphy dead at 77: National Post
The National Post is reporting that Rex Murphy, the pundit and columnist who hosted a national call-in radio show for decades, has died.
Pearson gold heist suspect arrested after flying into Toronto from India
Another suspect is in custody in connection with the gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport last year, police say.
Millions of cyberattacks per hour as B.C. government investigates multiple breaches
Careful attention to government statements and legislation is required to get a handle on the level of risk British Columbians’ information is under, as investigators probe multiple breaches under a continued barrage of attacks.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Debate on abortion rights erupts on Parliament Hill, Poilievre vows he won't legislate
A Conservative government led by Pierre Poilievre would not legislate on, nor use the notwithstanding clause, on abortion, his office says, as anti-abortion protesters gather on Parliament Hill.
Justin and Hailey Bieber are expecting their first child together
Hailey and Justin Bieber are going to be parents. The couple announced the news on Thursday on Instagram, both sharing a video that showcases Hailey Bieber's growing belly.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
New 'Lord of the Rings' film coming in 2026
The Oscar-winning team behind the nearly US$6 billion blockbuster 'Lord of the Rings' and 'The Hobbit' trilogies is reuniting to produce two new films.