Last revised: September 1, 2023
Reporting increased absenteeism to Ottawa Public Health
When the absenteeism rate increases above what the school would typically experience and the absences are not perceived to be linked to other factors such as holidays, the school principal should notify OPH. Schools can also contact OPH for any health-related concerns or increase in absenteeism.
Notification of Increased Absences Due to Illness in Schools - Webform
This form is for schools to notify Ottawa Public Health (OPH) of an increased absenteeism due to illness.
Please complete the form to the best of your ability. If you are having difficulty completing or submitting this form, contact OPH at 613-580-2424, ext. 26325, Monday to Friday between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm. On evenings, weekends, or holidays, call 3-1-1 and ask to speak to the public health inspector on-call.
Do not share any personal health information as it is not a secure electronic system; this includes names, dates of birth, test results, and health card numbers.
Important information for schools
IPAC safety checklist for schools | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
This infection prevention and control (IPAC) checklist outlines the recommended safety measures to prevent the spread of illness. Some of the recommendations are for consideration and may not be applicable or appropriate for all schools. The recommendations that are from the Ministry of Education's health and safety measures for 2022-2023 are marked with an asterisk (*) and must be implemented.
IPAC Checklist for Schools 2022-2023 (PDF - 192 KB) |
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IPAC measures during outbreaks or increases in illness |
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Schools follow infection prevention and control (IPAC) measures as part of their daily operations. During an outbreak, some measures need to be adjusted or enhanced. The outbreak control measures outline the measures that should be enhanced or implemented to prevent the spread of illness. Outbreak Control Measures (PDF - 137 KB) |
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Sample communication during outbreaks or increases in illness |
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It is recommended to communicate with the school community (staff and families) when there is an outbreak or increase in absences due to illness to promote the ongoing measures that the community can do to prevent or slow down the spread of illness.
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Hand hygiene and cough etiquette resources | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Learn more about preventing the spread of germs in the below resources prepared by OPH. The information below is available in other formats. Contact Ottawa Public Health at 613-580-6744 to request the document in an accessible format.
Hand Washing Poster only:
Hand Washing Poster and Factsheet:Hand Sanitizing Poster only:
Hand Sanitizing Poster and Factsheet:Cough Etiquette Poster only:
Cough Etiquette Poster and Factsheet: |
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Environmental cleaning and disinfection in child care centres and schools | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shared items and high touch surfaces can be sources for spread of infection, especially in child care settings and schools. Such surfaces may include door knobs, taps, handrails, phones, computer keyboards, elevator buttons, countertops, as well as shared sports equipment or toys. These surfaces and items can easily become contaminated by viruses or bacteria which can spread from one person to another. Developing policies and procedures for cleaning and disinfection is important to prevent the spread of infections in your setting or school. CleaningCleaning is the physical action of removing debris from a surface. Cleaning with soap or detergent, and water, will remove organic material such as food, body fluids, fecal matter, or soil from surfaces. Residue from the soap or detergent must be rinsed off prior to disinfection to prevent neutralization of some disinfectants. DisinfectionDisinfection must occur after cleaning. Disinfection inactivates or kills microorganisms (germs) that may be present on surfaces and that cleaning does not remove. A number of disinfectant products can be used in a child care setting on a regular basis. A different disinfectant may be required in outbreak situations. This may be discussed with your product supplier or with Ottawa Public Health as needed. All-in-one cleaning/disinfecting products must contain a drug identification number (DIN) from Health Canada. The disinfectant contact time, which is the time that a surface must remain wet for a disinfectant to be effective, varies between products. Follow manufacturers' instructions for disinfectant contact times, dilution and handling of products, including for pre-saturated disinfectant wipes. If gloves are indicated for handling a product, ensure they are single use and discarded between tasks. Flip-top bottles are preferred to apply cleaning solution. If using a spray bottle, saturate the cloth first then wipe the surface. Avoid the use of aerosol cans as this can propel the germs and cleaning solution into the air. Household bleach diluted in water is an inexpensive and effective disinfectant and can be used for most surfaces. It should be prepared daily. Ensure that surfaces are cleaned with a detergent or cleaning agent before the household bleach mixture is used as a disinfectant. Follow instructionsIt might be tempting to mix cleaning products to make sure your facility is germ-free -- but don’t. Mixing some cleaners and disinfectants (like chlorine bleach and ammonia) can be harmful, even deadly. Others can irritate your eyes, nose, or throat and cause breathing problems. The following table can be used as a reference for preparing household bleach solutions:
*Note: The contact time, also known as the wet time, is the time that the disinfectant needs to stay wet on a surface to make sure it can kill all the germs. It is the length of time you leave the solution on the surface before wiping it down. |
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Cleaning and disinfection checklist | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Commonly touched surfaces and items should be cleaned and disinfected frequently (e.g. at least once a day) to limit the potential spread of germs. When the setting is experiencing an outbreak, cleaning and disinfection of these surfaces and items is required more often (refer to Outbreaks in Child Care Setting page for more information). Develop a checklist specific to your facility, using this checklist as a guide. Remember to always work from clean areas to dirty areas. If using household bleach solutions, please see the household bleach solution table as a reference on how to prepare bleach solutions for sanitizing or disinfection of specific surfaces and items . General areas:
Kitchen/staff room:
Child and staff washrooms:
Important points to remember:
For more information, call Ottawa Public Health at 613-580-6744 |
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Cleaning and disinfection of toys | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Infants and young children share toys and often place them in their mouths. This increases the risk of spreading infections. To reduce this risk, play areas and storage spaces should be cleaned and disinfected on a regular basis. Ensure that the disinfectant is safe and suitable for use on toys. Consult the manufacturer's recommendations for dilution and contact times for these disinfectants. Cleaning and disinfecting hard plastic toys
Cleaning and disinfecting soft, porous toys or dress up clothes
Cleaning other items
Follow instructionsIt might be tempting to mix cleaning products to make sure your facility is germ-free -- but don’t. Mixing some cleaners and disinfectants (like chlorine bleach and ammonia) can be harmful, even deadly. Others can irritate your eyes, nose, or throat and cause breathing problems. For more information, call Ottawa Public Health at 613-580-6744. |
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How to collect stool specimens | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Collecting stool samples will tell us which organism or germ is making people sick. This will help ensure the right measures are put in place to stop and prevent more people from getting sick. Only ill students or staff may be asked to collect a stool sample. Kits are not for parents or other household members. Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, and nausea can be symptoms of COVID-19, which continues to circulate in the community. It is highly recommended that individuals who are experiencing symptoms complete both a Rapid Antigen Test and a stool sample.
How to Collect a Stool Sample Step 1: Get the kit Get a stool sample kit from the school if you have had GI symptoms within the last 48 hours. The kit should include two sterile containers. The container with the WHITE cap is empty and will test for viruses. The container with the GREEN cap has a red liquid called transport medium and will test for bacteria. DO NOT drink the red liquid! You will put a stool sample into both containers using the individual lids of the containers that have a scoop on the inside.
Step 2: Label the sample containers and fill in the requisition form. ***This step is very important. If the label and/or form are missing information, or is illegible, or filled out incorrectly, the lab will not test the sample.
Step 3: Collect the stool sample Do not allow the stool to come in contact with the toilet water. If the stool touches the toilet water, it is no longer an acceptable sample. If blood or mucus is present in the stool, always take a sample from this part of the stool 1. Adults and toilet trained children can defecate into a clean container (i.e. a disposable plate). TIP: Urinate first if needed. Children who are not toilet trained, the stool sample can be taken from the soiled diaper or directly from the child's training "potty." 2. Using the individual "scoop" attached to lid of each container, transfer stool into the corresponding sterile container. Fill the white cap container first.
3. Place the General Test Requisition form in the small outer pocket of the plastic biohazard bag. DO NOT place the form in the inner pocket where the sample containers are. Place the biohazard bag into the brown paper bag and refrigerate the sample(s) immediately after collection. 4. Stool samples should be placed on the bottom shelf of a fridge that does NOT contain food.
5. Perform hand hygiene. If hands are visibly soiled, use soap and water. 6. Call your school for stool sample pick-up and delivery to the Public Health Laboratory located in Ottawa. The deadline for same-day pick up is Monday to Friday before 3 pm.
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What are outbreaks? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Respiratory outbreaksA respiratory outbreak is an increase in respiratory illness among a group of people at the same time and place. Respiratory illnesses can be caused by bacteria or viruses that affect the respiratory system (e.g., nose, throat, and lungs). Symptoms of a respiratory illness include fever, cough, runny nose, congestion, sneezing, sore throat, and difficulty swallowing. Other symptoms may include headache, sore muscles, fatigue, poor appetite, and irritability. COVID-19, influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are examples of viruses that cause respiratory illnesses. Respiratory illnesses can spread:
Gastrointestinal illness and outbreaksEnteric outbreaks (or gastroenteritis outbreaks) is a sudden onset of gastrointestinal illness and may occur in schools throughout the year. Gastrointestinal illness (GI) is caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites leading to symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. GI illnesses can spread:
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Chain of infection | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Download PDF [429 kb] Germs (agent)
Where germs live (reservoir)
How germs get out (portal of exit)
Germs get around (mode of transmission)
How germs get in (portal of entry)
Next sick person (susceptible host)
Cycle repeats |
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