There are 22 schools in the NLSD, which covers nearly half the province. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

letter of support

NLSD offers contact tracing support in return for COVID case count data

Feb 11, 2021 | 4:42 PM

The Northern Lights School Division (NLSD) is willing to assist with COVID-19 tracing if the Saskatchewan Health Authority returns to providing daily case count numbers to communities.

A letter signed Feb. 10 by NLSD Chairperson Richard Laliberte to Minister of Health Paul Merriman states the school division supports northwest leaders in their request to have case updates provided to medical health officers involved in local pandemic response committees. The letter notes consistent communication on case counts supports ongoing efforts to advocate for resources, mobilize existing resources and inform residents.

“We noticed since last spring all the way to December, we would get daily updates on request at the local level for what your counts were in your community,” Laliberte said. “When January rolled around, they stopped giving us those daily updates. We had counted on it. The communities, the citizens kind of expected it from leaders to give updates. All of that was pertinent information we all consistently shared in each community.”

Laliberte explained leaders have been told the reason for the discontinuation of local numbers was due how busy health authority staff were dealing with the pandemic. He said it makes sense for the school division to engage with the health authority to make a collective effort if the assistance is needed.

Laliberte mentioned leaders and citizens were happy with how information was shared in the past and there is a desire to return to the former policy.

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“We’re offering to do the close contact tracing, we’re offering the assistance,” he said. “We’re saying as a school division, we have our own privacy umbrella already. We can conduct some of this close contact tracing if you would engage with us. If there is a problem with human resources or lack of, we will offer our assistance in making it happen at the community level.”

The school division continues to work collaboratively with several organizations and administration participates in weekly calls providing updates as needed. They also develop and maintain contact with health officials, the Ministry of Education and local leadership.

Information is also posted on the school division’s website to communicate with staff and students on cases in schools. Preventative measures and promoting health awareness is also a goal of the division.

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derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno