Tri-City school-aged children at 85% double-dose rate against COVID-19

Eligible Tri-City children recording 85% double-vaccination rate amid 13 COVID-19 school exposures

Three schools have been listed for exposures in the month of November thus far.

Citadel-Kwayhquitlum-Nestor SD43 Port Coquitlam

[From top to bottom] Citadel Middle, Kwayhquitlum Middle and Nestor Elementary are three of the latest Coquitlam school district (SD43) members to be notified of a COVID-19 exposure event for the month of November.File photos/Edited by Kyle Balzer, Tri-City News

COVID-19 school exposure events are already beginning to be recorded in Coquitlam's school district for the month of November.

As of this publication (Nov. 9), students and staff at three institutions — two in Port Coquitlam and one in Coquitlam — have been alerted of potential exposure to someone who recently tested positive for the virus.

This includes Citadel Middle, Kwayhquitlum Middle and Nestor Elementary, all of which are members of School District 43 (SD43).

There are currently 13 schools listed by Fraser Health for exposure to COVID-19.

You can view the full list of school exposures at the bottom of this article.

The BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) is reporting an 89.4 per cent average first-dose vaccination rate among school-aged children in the Tri-Cities (12 to 17 years old), as well as 85 per cent double-dose rate.

It's also still unclear if SD43 will mandate vaccinations against the virus for its teachers and staff as other neighbouring districts are deciding against it, such as New Westminster, Surrey and Vancouver.

In any case when an exposure event or lab-confirmed infection is found at a Tri-City school, public health says it follows rigorous steps as outlined below:

Public health will investigate to determine if there were any potential close contacts within the school
If it is determined that there are close contacts within the school, public health will notify the school administrators and request information to assist with contact tracing and provide guidance on what steps should be taken
Public health may then:
- Recommend 14-day self-isolation if necessary
- Recommend self-monitoring for symptoms if necessary
- Provide follow-up recommendations if necessary
Schools will ensure students who are required to self-isolate are able to continue their educational program. Together, schools and public health officials will determine if any other actions are necessary
Parents, caregivers and families will be notified by public health if their child is determined to be a close contact of a COVID-19 positive person

If you don't receive a phone call or letter from public health, Fraser Health explains children can continue to go to school but should also be monitored for the virus' symptoms daily, including fever or chills, cough, difficulty breathing or loss of sense of smell or taste.