For a second time in one week, parents and guardians with kids associated with a Tri-City sports organization have been notified of potential COVID-19 exposure.
This time, according to the parent-run BC School Covid Tracker Facebook page, the latest public exposure notice from Fraser Health was sent to those involved with the Coquitlam Metro-Ford Soccer Club, believed to have taken place during a Team U8 practice on Dec. 11.
The letter reads participants may have been exposed to the virus at 1299 Pinetree Way, the location of Lafarge City Centre North Soccer Field.
The person who posted to the social media group says the hours have since been corrected to 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
The notice was posted just days after, parents and guardians of children with the Coquitlam Sharks Swim Club were alerted about a COVID-19 exposure on Dec. 8.
A Fraser Health letter also explains participants may have been exposed to the virus during a development practice session between 4:45 to 5:45 p.m. at the pool in the Poirier Sport and Leisure Complex.
In both cases, families are being instructed to self-isolate or self-monitor depending on how many days since their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
Self-monitoring for symptoms (ie. fever, cough, difficulty breathing, etc.) for 14 days from the date of exposure is required if the individual had at least one dose more than 21 days ago.
Those who are not vaccinated or only received their shot less than 21 days ago must self-isolate for 10 days from the date of exposure and monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 for 14 days from when they were at the pool at that time.
During the period of self-isolation, individuals must continue to monitor for symptoms, stay at home, stay away from others in the home, use a separate bathroom if possible and not go to transit, work, school or shopping, among other restrictions noted in the letter.
B.C. public health says 302 cases of COVID-19 involving the Omicron variant have been found across the province, including 58 within Fraser Health.
VACCINE CLINICS
Two pop-up vaccination clinics will be set up over the next three days at Douglas College's Coquitlam campus (1250 Pinetree Way).
Nurses and health care workers are set to welcome and inoculate more eligible residents in the Tri-Cities against COVID-19 on Saturday (Dec. 18) and Monday (Dec. 20), each taking place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Tim Hortons seating area.
Enter campus from Pinetree Way via the entrance marked with a 'Community Centre/Douglas College' sign. Park in the community centre parking lot on your right - it is pay parking. Cross the street to Douglas College and enter the building.
If it's your first dose against COVID-19, you will need your personal health number and a piece of identification.
Children aged five to 11 are also welcome to the clinics, but parents and guardians are strongly encouraged to book an appointment.
If it's your second jab, and it's been at least 28 days, you will need your personal health number, ID and immunization record card.
More information is available on Fraser Health's website.
Eligible residents can also visit the mass immunization clinic at Coquitlam Central Station's Park and Ride overflow lot, where first, second and third doses are being offered.
Third jabs are only recommended at this time for eligible residents 70 years and older, as well as those classified as immuno-compromised.
The station's operating hours are as follows:
- 2900 Barnet Hwy.
- 9:45 a.m. to 8 p.m. = Monday to Friday
- 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. = Saturdays, Sundays and holidays
- Entrance off Mariner Way – east side of Rona. Proceed down the ramp and turn right
- The address will direct you to the main lot on the left but COVID-19 Services are located in the overflow lot to the right
- Do not cut through the Rona parking lot. Please follow the signs
- with files from Diane Strandberg, Tri-City News
