WTC Pandemic Preparedness Plan

Our focus is on keeping students and staff safe

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What is a pandemic?

A pandemic is a new infectious disease that spreads quickly throughout the world. A likely form of pandemic might be influenza—pandemic flu is a new highly infectious viral respiratory illness that occurs when a new strain of the flu virus appears and spreads quickly. Humans will have little or no immunity to this new virus.  

When will the pandemic happen?

Experts can't predict when the next pandemic might occur, but historically they happen three to four times every 100 years.  Recognizing this The World Health Organization, our federal, provincial and local health authorities all have pandemic plans in place.

How many people will be affected?

Experts say that it's possible that 25 to 60 per cent of our population including our staff and students could become ill at some point during the pandemic. Significant absenteeism may contribute to the cancellation of services or closure of a campus or the entire College.  

What is WTC’s pandemic plan?

Once a Pandemic has been declared in Manitoba, the College’s Senior Administrative Committee will meet to review the current advice and any directives (as available) from the province and our health and social agencies, with experience and expertise in the particular pathogen, to determine the level and nature of threat that the pathogen poses to our staff and students.  Once this has been determined, the College’s senior administration will develop and implement a suitable operational plan that will be designed to mitigate the spread of the infectious disease while at the same time maintaining as many of our programs and services as possible.

Our priority during a pandemic is to keep the College open as long as it is safe to do so.  If the health and safety of staff and students becomes a concern, the College will work with the respective health and social agencies to mitigate the circumstances, recognizing that closure of our institution can only occur at the direction of the Minister of Education, Citizenship and Youth.  Closure could mean the closing of one campus or the entire College.  

Will activities continue as usual during a pandemic?

The College will continue to provide its regular services and operate as usual if a pandemic is declared outside of Manitoba. Once a pandemic is declared in Manitoba, the College will activate its Pandemic Preparedness Plan. As a result, many activities will continue, but they may operate in a drastically different way as dictated by the existing circumstance. It should be understood that while open during this time, normal program expectations and service levels may not be met.

What activities will be suspended during a declared pandemic in Manitoba?

In order to provide the most necessary services to our communities, it is likely that the following activities would be suspended during a pandemic:

·         food services

·         field trips/excursions

·         non-critical meetings

·         professional development activities

·         community use of facilities

During a declared pandemic in Manitoba, how will the College keep its students, employees and community informed?

WTC is committed to ensuring that all students, parents and members of the community are aware of and kept up-to-date on its plans. To ensure this happens the College will post all plans on the College’s bulletin boards and the College’s web site will become the official information transference point. All inquiries of a specific or private nature can be directed to the College’s Director of Communication & Planning @ (204) 989-6516.In addition to the above, all staff will be kept up-to-date by email.

What are some of the general actions that the College will take if a pandemic is declared in Manitoba?