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COVID-19 exposure reported at more Island schools

Two new COVID-19 exposures have been reported at schools in Nanaimo and Ladysmith. Notices are posted on the Island Health website , including an exposure at Frank J. Ney Elementary on Nov. 12.
Victoria Times-Colonist Staff
0315-coronavirus
A microscopic look at a coronovirus, revealed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A novel coronavirus, named Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus 2, or SARS-CoV-2, was identified as the cause of an outbreak of respiratory illness, the CDC says. It was first detected in Wuhan, China, last year, and subsequently spread around the globe. The illness caused by this virus was named coronavirus disease 2019, or COVID-19.CDC

Two new COVID-19 exposures have been reported at schools in Nanaimo and Ladysmith.

Notices are posted on the Island Health website, including an exposure at Frank J. Ney Elementary on Nov. 12. There was also a cluster at Randerson Ridge Elementary, with an infected person at the school on Nov. 4, 5, 6, 9, and 10.

As well, Island Health reported a cluster of COVID cases at John Barsby Secondary — with the first exposure on Nov. 5 and 6, and the second on Nov. 9 and 10.

Dover Bay Secondary had a cluster of cases on Nov. 2, 5, and 6, while Ladysmith Secondary had an exposure Nov. 9, 10, 12 and 13.

No action is required unless parents are contacted by public health or school officials, said Island Health.

The term “exposure” refers to a single person with lab-confirmed COVID-19 infection who attended school during their infectious period.

A “cluster” refers to two or more individuals with lab-confirmed COVID-19 infection who attended school during their infectious period.

An Island Health notification does not mean a child has been exposed to the virus.

Public health officials are working with the schools and school district to ensure close contacts are notified directly and provided specific guidance.

A child should continue to attend school unless public health officials have directly suggested otherwise through a phone call or letter.

More information and resources regarding schools and COVID-19 is available at bccdc.ca/covid19.

Despite the clusters, Dr. Sandra Allison, the medical health officer for the central Island, said the virus is not being transmitted in schools and the increase in cases reflects what is happening in the broader community.

There are 50 confirmed active cases of COVID-19 in the central Island — about half of all the active cases in the Island Health region, which saw 41 new cases reported on Monday.