Ontario’s top doctor criticizes Niagara Public Health’s COVID-19 plan for schools

Ontario’s top doctor says he’s concerned that stricter measures in Niagara region schools will harm children.

In a leaked letter, Dr. Kieran Moore outlines why he does not agree with Niagara medical officer of health, Dr. Mustafa Hirji, and his plan to add additional measures to local schools that are not required by the province.

“What I am trying to have across Ontario is a consistent and persistent approach,” said Moore when asked about the letter on Thursday.

Moore’s letter comes after Niagara Public Health, headed by Hirji, sent out a note to the school community in the region saying that additional measures would be implemented for in-person learning. It said the measures went above the provincial baseline and include having classes isolate if one student tests positive, sending all children home for seven days instead of the provincial guideline of five. The rule wouldn’t apply to fully vaccinated students, but Niagara Public Health says parents would be made aware of positive cases.

“Some of the recommendations he had put in play could have increased the amount of absenteeism in students so it seemed to go contrary to the recommendations of the science table,” said Moore during a news conference.

In the letter to Hirji, Moore signed off by saying: “I am concerned that these measures will lead to increased harms to the children and youth in the Niagara Region and I strongly urge you to reconsider your approach in alignment with provincial direction.”

NDP leader Andrea Horwath says the province should be supporting local health units. “I think its shameful. I’m going to be straight up. Public health units and leadership have been the ones to step into the breach as this Ford government has abdicated its responsibility,” she said.

Horwath says it’s not fair to let local public health units decide what’s best for their region and then criticize their actions.

Hirji was not available for an interview but in a statement to CHCH News he said he appreciates dr. Moore’s feedback, but will be proceeding with the additional measures to successfully resume in-person learning.