INNISFAIL – Teachers and school-based staff in the Chinook’s Edge School Division (CESD) may want to heed Dr. Deena Hinshaw’s recommendation that they get tested for COVID-19, says superintendent Kurt Sacher.
“We really rely on Dr. Deena Hinshaw and her expertise with Alberta Health,” said Sacher. “If she thinks it’s a good idea that it be voluntary for staff to make their way in and be tested then we would agree with that being a good idea.”
Hinshaw is the province’s chief medical officer of health.
During a recent press conference, she encouraged teachers and school-based staff to make arrangements for voluntary COVID-19 testing.
“I am recommending that all teachers and school-based staff should get tested once before school begins in September and regularly throughout the year,” said Hinshaw.
“This is entirely voluntary. However, asymptomatic testing of staff in school setting will help us with a baseline understanding for school re-entry and ultimately help us even more closely monitor the virus in the coming year.”
There are approximately 600 teachers, 740 support staff and about 900 casual staff, including substitute teachers, in the CESD.
Asked if CESD will be making teacher and staff COVID-19 testing mandatory, Sacher said, “If she (Dr. Hinshaw) felt it was that critically important, with her expertise and if she mandated it, we would have supported the mandate.
“With her expertise, if she feels it should be voluntary then we would agree with that.”
