We know principals have been receiving questions related to the new coronavirus and its potential impact on students, staff and families. The public education system is taking its lead from Dr. Robert Strang, the Chief Medical Officer of Health for Nova Scotia. Dr. Strang is in close contact with Public Health Canada as well as health officials in Nova Scotia and around the country. At this time, the risk remains low as there are no cases of coronavirus in Nova Scotia and no transmission of the virus anywhere in Canada. The province has created a webpage that contains fact-based information about the coronavirus at: www.novascotia.ca/coronavirus . Schools are encouraged to share this website address with students, teachers and families. Below is some suggested language for sharing this information through your various communication networks.
The provincial government has created a webpage to share facts-based information about the coronavirus. This information can be found at www.novascotia.ca/coronavirus . We would encourage all families to take a moment to visit the webpage to learn more. Although the risk in Nova Scotia remains low at this time, it is flu season and health officials recommend the following routine prevention measures to stay healthy:
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand rub when hands are not visibly soiled.
- Cough and sneeze into your elbow or a tissue. If using a tissue, immediately place it in a waste disposal and wash your hands.
- If possible, stay home when ill with acute respiratory symptoms; if this is not possible, limit close contact with others.
- Limit touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Don’t share items that may have saliva on them such as drinking glasses and water bottles.
- Frequently clean surfaces like taps, doorknobs, and countertops.