Tri-City students have reached a significant vaccination average — and has likely led to a reduction in school exposures to COVID-19.
In the week since the Tri-City News last reported, and as of 9 a.m. today (Dec. 14), there are currently six regional institutions under an alert for potential exposure as students and staff may have come into contact with someone who recently tested positive for the virus.
All are members of School District 43 (SD43).
Aspenwood Elementary in Port Moody has the most recent exposure warning for Dec. 8.
You can view the full list at the bottom of the story.
The BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) is also reporting every Tri-City sub-region — collected and broken down by surveillance data — has officially reached a 90 per cent immunization rate for kids aged 12 to 17.
Southeast Coquitlam was the last to reach the plateau.
The Tri-Cities is now holding a combined average 91.2 per cent single-dose rate for that age group, as well as an 87.4 per cent double-vaccinated rate.
For young children between five and 11 years old, the region currently has a 15.6 per cent first-dose average.
North Coquitlam
- 13 per cent of children aged five to 11 vaccinated with at least one dose
- 92 per cent of children aged 12 to 17 vaccinated with at least one dose
- 89 per cent of children aged 12 to 17 vaccinated with a second dose
Southwest Coquitlam
- 14 per cent of children aged five to 11 vaccinated with at least one dose
- 91 per cent of children aged 12 to 17 vaccinated with at least one dose
- 87 per cent of children aged 12 to 17 vaccinated with a second dose
Southeast Coquitlam
- 15 per cent of children aged five to 11 vaccinated with at least one dose
- 90 per cent of children aged 12 to 17 vaccinated with at least one dose
- 86 per cent of children aged 12 to 17 vaccinated with a second dose
Port Coquitlam
- 13 per cent of children aged five to 11 vaccinated with at least one dose
- 91 per cent of children aged 12 to 17 vaccinated with at least one dose
- 86 per cent of children aged 12 to 17 vaccinated with a second dose
Port Moody-Anmore-Belcarra
- 23 per cent of children aged five to 11 vaccinated with at least one dose
- 92 per cent of children aged 12 to 17 vaccinated with at least one dose
- 89 per cent of children aged 12 to 17 vaccinated with a second dose
In any case, when an exposure event or lab-confirmed infection is found at Tri-City schools, Fraser Health says it follows rigorous steps.
This includes:
- 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.
COVID-19 SCHOOL EXPOSURES
ANMORE
- Anmore Elementary: Dec. 1
COQUITLAM
- Hampton Park Elementary: Nov. 30, Dec. 1–2
PORT COQUITLAM
- Cedar Drive Elementary: Nov. 30–Dec. 1
- Hazel Trembath Elementary: Dec. 1–2
- Riverside Secondary: Dec. 6–7
PORT MOODY
- Aspenwood Elementary: Dec. 7–8
