COVID-19: Letter to Parents/Guardians

Posted March 12, 2020

March 9, 2020

Dear parents and guardians,

We have received some questions from parents regarding the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) and wanted to
provide families with information from the health authorities. As with all public health matters, the Upper
Grand District School Board works closely with Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health and other health
agencies to monitor and address concerns, and that is the case with COVID-19.

At this time, health authorities state that the risk to Ontario residents remains low. Public health
authorities are reminding the public that the best way to reduce the risk of infection is to practice general
infection prevention control. This includes:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are ill.
• Stay home when you are ill.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then immediately throw the tissue in the garbage and wash
your hands.
• If you don’t have a tissue, sneeze or cough into your sleeve or arm.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

Families who are planning on traveling are encouraged to visit the Public Health Agency of Canada’s
website for travel advice: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirusinfection/latest-travel-health-advice.html

We will continue to take steps to ensure that we are as prepared as we can be, including sharing reminders
about infection prevention practices, reminding students, staff and volunteers to stay home when they are ill,
doing enhanced cleaning at schools, ordering additional hand sanitizer for schools and classrooms,
monitoring absenteeism and reporting absences to Public Health, and communicating information on a
dedicated webpage at https://www.ugdsb.ca/community/coronavirus/.

If you have questions about COVID-19, please contact Public Health through its dedicated website
https://www.wdgpublichealth.ca/your-health/novel-coronavirus-covid-19 or call centre (1-800-265-7293 ext.
7006).

The health and safety of all students, staff and school communities is our top priority.

Sincerely,
Martha Rogers
Director of Education & Secretary-Treasurer

March 9, 2020  Letter To Parents Re: COVID 19

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