Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Two more Vancouver Island schools report COVID-19 exposures

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Two more schools on Vancouver Island have reported COVID-19 exposures, following several others with exposures in the last week of January.

Rock City Elementary School in Nanaimo and Qwam Qwum Stuwixwulh School on Snuneymuxw First Nation each reported a case of COVID-19 in their school communities.

The exposure at Rock City Elementary School had a potential exposure date of January 27th.

School District 68 says that Island Health is completing contact tracing to identify individuals who may have come in close proximity to the positive case.

Those who are contacted through contact tracing will be asked to self-isolate and monitor for symptoms for 14 days.

Anyone who does not receive a contact from the health authority can continue to attend school as normal.

At Qwam Qwum Stuwixwulh School the positive case of COVID-19 had a potential exposure date on January 28th.

Out of an abundance of caution, Snuneymuxw First Nation made the decision to close the school on February 1st and 2nd.

During the closure, a deep clean of the school was performed and the Nation undertook further risk assessment while they awaited an epidemiological report from Island Health.

The Nation says that Principal Kevin Brand will be in touch with parents and guardians of students at Qwam Qwum Stuwixwulh to share more information on the plan going forward.

“We understand the impact to families with the temporary QQSS closure and appreciate the support of parents and guardians in our efforts to enhance protection for children and their families,” Chief Mike Wyse and Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools board chair Charlene McKay said in a joint statement.

“It is the well-being of communities that remains in our hearts and our minds. Be safe. Be calm. Be kind.”

Tim Ford
Tim Ford
Digital staff writer with Victoria Buzz

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