Four new school exposures as eligible Tri-City kids near 90% single-dose rate against COVID-19

An update for school exposures to COVID-19 across the Tri-Cities saw the list shrink from 13 to nine.

However, as of this publication (Nov. 12), two School District 43 (SD43) institutions were added to Fraser Health's list this week to bring that number back to 11, while two others have been warned of additional exposures.

Students and staff at Banting Middle and Cape Horn Elementary — both located in Coquitlam — have been alerted as they may have come into contact with someone who recently tested positive for the virus.

Meanwhile, Coquitlam River and Nestor Elementary schools were each notified of more dates of potential contact with COVID-19 since Tuesday's (Nov. 9) report, all occurring in the month of November.

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

The BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) is currently reporting an 89.8 per cent average first-dose vaccination rate among school-aged children in the Tri-Cities (12 to 17 years old), as well as 85.4 per cent double-dose rate.

The numbers are broken down as follows by sub-region:

North Coquitlam

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

Southwest Coquitlam

90 per cent of children aged 12 to 17 vaccinated with at least one dose
85 per cent of children aged 12 to 17 vaccinated with a second dose

Southeast Coquitlam

88 per cent of children aged 12 to 17 vaccinated with at least one dose
84 per cent of children aged 12 to 17 vaccinated with a second dose

Port Coquitlam

89 per cent of children aged 12 to 17 vaccinated with at least one dose
84 per cent of children aged 12 to 17 vaccinated with a second dose

Port Moody-Anmore-Belcarra

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

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.

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.