An increase in local COVID cases in children and youth last month casts a dark cloud over an already-stormy back-to-school season.
The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit reported the incidence rate for cases of COVID-19 in children and youth under 18 was about six per 100,000 youth in the population. In July, the incidence rate was 3.5 per 100,000. At the peak of COVID, in April and May, there were about eight youth cases per 100,000 youth in the population per month.
“It’s not a good time for us to be seeing an increase in transmission among children,” said Dr. Charles Gardner, medical officer of health for the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit.
He noted the health unit has seen four family “clusters” leading to lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Barrie.
“People need to be very careful, even with family members,” said Gardner. “People need to stick to their social circles. … I know it’s completely contrary to people’s nature.”
Overall, the region is on an “upward trajectory” when it comes to COVID-19 cases, noted the doctor. There have been 25 new cases confirmed in the last week. The last time the weekly case count was that high was June 21, when the health unit reported 41 new cases.
There were five new cases reported today. In August, there were 29 new cases reported in Barrie, and 50 cases in the region in total.
Gardner noted there’s concern across the province about a surge in youth cases, but he said the region isn’t necessarily seeing a surge (the incidence has been higher in previous months). However, where cases for the older age groups (65 to 79 years old, and over 80) are decreasing, youth cases are not dropping with them.
Since Aug. 25, there have been seven Barrie kids under 18 test positive for COVID-19.
“Generally speaking, it’s been more teens than children testing positive … in the last week or so, we’ve had more children as well,” said Gardner. “The timing for that is worrisome.”
Most of the population under 18 years old is heading back to school next week.
“It’s all the more reason why people need to abide by their social circles and have their children abide,” said Gardner.
As kids return to school, Gardner said parents will be expected to screen their children each morning for symptoms of COVID-19. Any symptom that persists for a few hours should be assessed further and possibly the child would need to be tested for the virus.
An outbreak would be declared at a school where two or more cases can be linked.
In the event a child or teacher tests positive for COVID-19, the health unit would be notified.
Through contact tracing, the health unit would notify those exposed to risk. Typically, this would include student or teacher’s cohort, other students who share a bus or attend the same before or after school program, and everyone would be required to self-isolate for 14 days.
Testing may also be recommended, but a negative test result would not end the quarantine period early. If anyone who has self-isolated develops symptoms and tests positive, the health unit would then follow up with their close contacts and recommend those contacts also self-isolate and potentially get tested.
The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit has been promised funding for 26 nurses to assist with school COVID-19 controls and management.
For more from the health unit on back-to-school protocol and recommendations, visit their website here.
