WRDSB provides update on COVID-19 reporting

The region's public school board has provided an update on reporting COVID-19 cases within its schools.

While the provincial government no longer requires school board to disclose cases of the virus, the Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) said on Monday that it will continue to notify parents and caregivers.

“We want to assure you that we will do our best to continue to provide as much information and transparency as possible when it comes to COVID-19 at WRDSB schools,” read a release. “Our highest priority is to ensure the safety of our students and staff members.”

The school board will inform all directly impacted classes when it learns of a positive PCR or rapid antigen test result.

The ministries of education and health do not require cohorts to be dismissed following any possible exposures. However, public health guidance is asking for students and their families to monitor for symptoms and complete the “school screener” daily.

Individual classes will still receive notification of a possible exposure to COVID-19, but there will no longer be updates to the “Confirmed Cases of COVID-19” page on the WRDSB website.

The province now requires schools to report any student and staff absences plus all school closures, and if more than 30 per cent of the school population is away, WRDSB will then have to notify public health.

The Waterloo Catholic District School Board, however, will not continue to report cases within its schools.

In an emailed statement to CityNews 570, the school board said, “WCDSB is following the direction of the Chief Medical Officer of Health and Region of Waterloo Public Health, and the practice of the majority of the boards across the province.”

The board noted that its guiding principle throughout the pandemic has been to follow expert advice. It also states that there is a general presumption and understanding that most, if not all schools, will have some presence of COVID-19. 

“We are anticipating that our schools will experience staffing challenges, and our Principal's primary job will be to maintain the health and safety of their building and ensure all classrooms are properly managed and staffed. Many schools have a single administrator – it is too much to place on an administrator to have to carry out their own significant duties at this busy time, and also expect them to act as Public Health.”