H1N1 update: November 20th, 2009.
We have had a great week at school with regards to illness and student/staff absences. We have continued to remain well under the 10% absenteeism rate all week long.
November 18, 2009
Re: H1N1 update for the week of November 16-20, 2009 from the Limestone District School Board.
Dear Parent/Guardian:
At EDPS we will continue to let parents know on school website when our overall school absenteeism rate related to influenza-like-illness exceeds 10% and we will continue to report daily to KFL&A Public Health a greater than 10% absence rate due to influenza-like illness. Surveillance data gathered by Public Health shows that while this isn’t over, the infection rates are continuing to go down. For the next few weeks, we will continue to issue a weekly update letter to parents/guardians via our school, website
regardless of our level of absence.
With short wait times in the lines at the Frontenac Mall and K-Rock Centre in Kingston, KFL&A Public Health is suspending sequencing and allowing any resident who wants their pandemic H1N1 influenza vaccine to be accommodated, effective immediately. This change allows all KFL&A residents, regardless of age or medical status, to receive the pandemic H1N1 influenza vaccine.
Clinics are running concurrently at the Frontenac Mall and K-Rock Centre from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. (please note the change in start-time). To keep wait times to a minimum, if a surge in demand happens, KFL&A Public Health will have in place new procedures giving people time-coded wristbands indicating when to return for their vaccine, eliminating the need for people to line up hours prior to the clinic opening times. Please check KFL&A ‘s website, www.kflapublichealth.ca for more clinic dates.
The following information is a repeat of some of the information in the last update: H1N1 Influenza feels very much like the regular seasonal flu. Symptoms include fever, new or worsening cough, sore throat, joint and muscle pain, headache, chills and fatigue.
The Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care advise everyone to take an active role in protecting themselves from H1N1. Here are a few things you can do: Teach your children to wash their hands with soap and water thoroughly and often. Keep alcohol-based sanitizer (gel or wipes) handy at work and in your car.
Note that alcohol- based hand sanitizer should contain at least 60% alcohol to be effective. Teach your children not to share personal items like pens, pencils, drinks, or food. Teach your children to cough or sneeze into their sleeve or a tissue, not their hand. This includes teaching them to dispose of tissues in the garbage immediately, and to follow-up by washing their hands or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Keep sick children at home until they are fever free for 24 hours (un-medicated) and are feeling well and able to fully participate in all normal day-to-day activities. You do not need a medical note for them to return to school but please do not send them back if they are still ill. If you have concerns about your child’s health contact your health care provider.
For more information you may visit: We will continue to provide you with weekly updates on the situation. Everyone’s combined efforts will help us to reach the common goal of keeping students and staff well and attending school.
Sincerely,
Ms. J. Le Clair, Principal
Please continue to look here for updates. Sincerely, Ms. J. Le Clair, Principal |
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