Hours after Dr. Bonnie Henry declared the Tri-Cities a COVID-19 hot spot, thousands of teachers, education assistants and other school based staff in the region got notices they could book a vaccine.
That means approximately 2,600 teachers and 900 support workers in Tri-City schools not already vaccinated will be eligible for shots at clinics April 16-19, giving them some protection against the virus.
According to Henry, the virus is rampaging through Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam and Port Moody, making this area the second worst hot spot after Surrey.
Already 22 schools in the area have been flagged for exposure, many of them with multiple dates, according to the Fraser Health school exposure website.
It appears the virus hit many households over spring break, resulting in school exposures the first week staff and students were back in classes.
In addition to school exposures, as many as five businesses have been shut down due to transmission as the Tri-Cities saw more than 500 positive COVID-19 cases last week.
“This is a COVID hot spot for sure,” said Coquitlam Teachers Association president Ken Christensen, “I’m glad Fraser Health has recognized that and responded to the advocacy work we have done.”
News that a special vaccination clinic is opening up for Tri-City school worker comes days after teachers tried to get left-over shots at Surrey clinics.
RELIEF TINGED WITH DISAPPOINTMENT AS SOME CUPE WORKERS NOT ELEGIBLE FOR SHOTS
CUPE 561 workers who support students in schools as education assistants, or work in school offices, also got notices they could get a shot.
President Jane Gibbons said there’s a sense of relief among many because the last 12 months have been so challenging But there is also disappointment among approximately 30% of workers, she said, because they weren’t prioritized although many go to schools each day to do repairs.
Still, the vaccination campaign is necessary and needed, she said, and should go some way toward dispelling anxiety among those who work in close proximity with students.
“There was huge fears, we have staff that are still off [work]. Because of their immune systems they can not be in schools,” Gibbons said.
STUDENTS AMONG THE HARDEST HIT BY COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS AS ACTIVITIES REDUCED
More importantly, the shot campaign means school-based staff will have their two required doses by September.
That’s good news, said Christensen, who is looking forward to a time when schools can resume normal activities.
Gibbons agreed, noting that students have been hit hard by restrictions, as their programs, such as gym and outside play, have been reduced to minimize contacts.
“Kids who have difficulties in school, who have anxiety, special needs, or physical restrictions, it is very difficult for them,” Gibbons said.
Meanwhile, the next few weeks will be crucial and Christensen implored people to slow down, take it easy, and reduce their contacts, something Henry is also asking as B.C. case counts hit more than 1,000 a day, 60% of them variants that spread COVID-19 more quickly and easily.
— with files from Stefan Labbé
