Peel’s top doctor addresses misguided hand-out that suggested isolating COVID-positive child for 14 days

By Charlene Close, Lucas Casaletto

Peel’s top doctor is reacting to a flyer that was sent out to residents in the region saying children should isolate on their own if they’ve been exposed to COVID-19.

Medical officer of health Dr. Lawrence Loh calls it a “communications error” and says the handout has been removed and revised.

“It is important that these guidelines are done with the best intentions with the recognition that household transmission does continue to be a significant source of spread in our community,” said Loh on Monday.

“To the extent that we can balance the risk of transmission certainly with the emotional needs of children.”

Dr. Loh says the specific details about the caregiver isolating with the child were on the region’s website but not on the flyer.

“We made a mistake. We put out a flyer about what parents and guardians should do when their child gets sent home from school after a COVID-19 exposure and we left out an important detail,” Region of Peel said in a lengthy thread on Twitter.

“Anyone exposed to COVID-19 is directed to self-isolate at home away from others in the home as much as possible. That includes children.”

Ontario’s Associate Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Barbara Yaffe, says the province’s guidelines are to have anyone who has been exposed isolated for 14 days but in the case of a child, you have to use common sense.

“If your child had had measles or some other infectious disease, how would you handle the situation,” Yaffe said.

“You would make sure that you’re caring for the child but you would also use proper prevention and control.”

She says you should not leave a child alone in a room for 14 days.

Mississauga mayor Bonnie Crombie also touched on the miscommunication from Peel, saying she’s “relieved” the public pressed for clarity on the matter.

“Thanks to everyone who raised concerns with Peel Public Health’s guidelines on how children should isolate at home,” said Crombie on Twitter.

“I’m relieved they will be issuing new advice for caregivers that are sensitive to realities facing families & that protect the overall well-being of our children.”

In the GTA, Peel Region has begun administering COVID-19 vaccines to adults 80 and over, as other regions prepare to allow the same age group to begin pre-registering for their vaccination appointments.

Peel Region, Toronto, and North Bay-Parry Sound remain under a stay-at-home order until at least March 8.

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