Item - 2021.HL31.1

The Board of Health:

1.  Requested the Government of Canada, the Province of Ontario and Public Health Ontario to provide updated guidance on ventilation as a potential measure to reduce the spread of COVID-19 indoors.

2.  Requested the Province of Ontario to provide access to the COVID-19 vaccine to pediatricians and family doctors in their health care facilities, in addition to Team Toronto's plans to administer vaccines to children aged 5 to 11 in a variety of settings, including clinics at schools, mass immunization clinics, pharmacies, hospitals and community sites.

3.  Requested the Province of Ontario to mandate COVID-19 vaccinations for all publicly-funded school staff, volunteers, bus drivers and visitors in all Toronto schools.

4.  Requested the Province of Ontario to ensure that the best available evidence on Personal Protective Equipment for education workers is regularly monitored, reviewed and used to inform decisions regarding the Personal Protective Equipment that is provided to education workers.

5.  Requested the Premier of Ontario and the Ontario Minister of Education to provide additional funding directly to school boards to support increased physical distancing within cohorts.

 
6.  Requested the Medical Officer of Health to work with the Province of Ontario and the City Manager on funding, adapting and extending the work of vaccine engagement teams to support the continued rollout of the COVID-19 vaccination campaign and to report to the December 6, 2021 meeting of the Board of Health with recommendations. 

7.  Requested the Medical Officer of Health to provide an update at the December 6, 2021 meeting of the Board of Health on providing third doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, including the latest recommendations, guidance and approvals from relevant government partners and regulators, as well as Toronto Public Health's anticipated role and any planning that has been undertaken.

8.  Requested the Medical Officer of Health to continue to consult with the Toronto District School Board and the Toronto Catholic District School Board with advice on what guidance, regulations and/or measures, such as vaccinations or Personal Protective Equipment, must be put in place to safely resume allowing parents and guardians to access school buildings and to report back to the December 6, 2021 meeting of the Board of Health.

9.  Requested the Medical Officer of Health to continue plans to ensure that take-home Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) testing is available on site at all of Toronto's more than 800 public schools and to accelerate the work underway with the Province of Ontario to determine the most effective use of rapid antigen testing in schools.

The Medical Officer of Health and the Associate Medical Officer of Health gave a presentation on Response to COVID-19: October 2021 Update.

The Deputy Medical Officer of Health and the Director, Community Resources, Social Development, Finance and Administration gave a presentation on Community Immunization and Mobilization Plan Update.

The Medical Officer of Health and the Associate Medical Officer of Health will give a presentation on Response to COVID-19 - October 2021 Update.

The Director, Community Resources, Social Development, Finance and Administration and the Deputy Medical Officer of Health will give a presentation on Community Vaccine Engagement and Mobilization Plan Update.