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Dr. Moore Discusses LTC, Virtual Learning

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The province is tightening COVID restrictions in the long-term care sector.

One of the most significant changes, that comes into effect immediately, sees all general visitors to a long-term care home needing to be fully vaccinated to enter.

The Ministry will also direct all homes to increase infection prevention and control audits.

The measures are being called temporary, and were a result of consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kieran Moore.

Adding restrictions are in response to an increase in transmission of COVID-19 across the province because of the Omicron variant.

“This means even if it is less severe, with so many people infected, there may be significant demands on the health care system,” explained Dr. Moore. “Strengthening public health measures in our long-term care homes and retirement homes is critical to protecting our most vulnerable against the omicron variant.”

Testing of staff, students, volunteers, and caregivers will be required twice a week, regardless of their vaccination status. Recent data shows that 99 per cent of those in these groups are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Strict health measures within these settings, including masking, distancing, and increased cleaning methods will be enforced.

Dr. Moore was also asked Tuesday about the potential return to virtual learning as we see an increase in cases across Ontario.

“It’s my hope that we keep schools open as long as we can,” stated Dr. Moore “You heard out medical officer of health mantra of first to open last to close. We are reviewing every protocol that we have to make our schools even safer in the face of omicron, and we will be announcing some of those recommendations in the coming days to keep our schools safe.”

“I’m so happy that over 35 per cent of the 5 to 11’s have been immunized, thank you to those families and those children that have come forward. We absolutely are still prioritizing children 5 to 11 to get their first doses, and that strategy will continue for the coming weeks and months.”

Another update from the province regarding the virus is expected on Thursday.

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Province Moving All Schools To Online Learning

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The Ford Government has announced that all schools will be moving to 100 per-cent virtual learning after the April break has finished.

The announcement was made Monday afternoon by Premier Doug Ford and follows the stay-at-home order announced on Thursday.

“The problem is not in our schools, it is in our community. Bringing our kids back to a congregate setting in school after a week off in the community is a risk that I won’t take,” said Ford, “We know that the more COVID spreads in the community, the more likely it is to get into the schools, which will create massive problems for all of us down the road.”

The province says the move has been made in response to the rapid increase in COVID-19 cases in southern Ontario, the increasing risks posed to the public by COVID-19 variants, and the massive spike in hospital admissions.

Education Minister Stephen Lecce explains all childcare centres for non-school aged children will remain open while all before and after school programs will be closed.

As for school-aged children of health care and other front line workers, Lecce says there will be free emergency care.

School Boards will also be directed to provide continued in person support for students with special education needs, who can not learn remotely.

“This was not a decision we made lightly, as we know how critical schools are to Ontario students. Our priority has always been to keep schools open, however, sharply rising community transmission can put our schools and Ontario families at risk,” said Lecce. “While Ontario’s plan has kept schools safe, as confirmed by the Chief Medical Officer of Health, we are taking decisive and preventative action today to ensure students can safely return to learning in our schools.”

Lecce adds that they will make the move back to in-person learning as soon as it’s safe to do so.

(With Files from Sarah McCarthy/Dryden)

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Virtual Learning Expected To Start Next Week

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While some students return to the classroom, others have decided to continue learning from home.

The Keewatin-Patricia District School Board says students in Virtual Schools can expect to hear from their teachers and school administration next Tuesday, with classes fully underway by September 11th.

Learning will be much like the traditional model as classes will be synchronous and students will have attendance taken, be offered breaks, and there will be opportunities for whole class, small group and individual instruction.

The Virtual School will be staffed by teachers and support staff and will also have two dedicated principals to assist students and staff.

Students will be grouped with classmates from various communities allowing them to interact with a variety of peers.

Time in class will meet the requirements as outlined by the Ontario Ministry of Education:

Daily Minimum Synchronous Learning Time
Elementary
Kindergarten: 180 minutes
Grade 1 to 3: 225 minutes
Grade 4 to 8: 225 minutes
Secondary
Grade 9 to 12: 300 minutes

Nineteen per cent of elementary and 17% of high school students have opted for the virtual learning model.

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Virtual History Lesson For Students In Sioux Lookout

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As students continue to learn from home, teachers continue to find fun new ways to bring their lesson plans to the online world.

Sioux North High School Teacher Colby Sadler has set up virtual historic tours and so far the students have been able to explore the history of London and Paris from their homes.

Sadler says the tours have mandatory teachings that students have to learn, but there is some fun packed in there too.

“In each of them we’ve been trying to do sort of optional stops as well. These are things like record shops or restaurants and having students choose their favourite song about London or make a traditional British dish.”

He says they have also learned more about World War I and World II with the virtual tours.

Sadler notes the learning has been well received.