Seven Coquitlam-area schools alerted for COVID-19 exposure event

Seven new COVID-19 exposure events listed for Coquitlam-area schools

Eleven total schools are currently listed by Fraser Health who've potentially come in contact with the virus over the last two weeks.

Coronavirus DNA rendering. | File photo

There were seven new COVID-19 school exposure events reported across the Tri-Cities in the last week — three in Coquitlam and four in Port Coquitlam.

This kept the total number of educational institutes potentially exposed to the virus in the double digits at 11 as of this publication (Oct. 22).

The new events took place between Oct. 12 and 18, when students and staff may have come in contact with someone who recently tested positive for COVID-19.

The data includes six School District 43 (SD43) facilities and additional exposure dates for École des Pionniers de Maillardville — a French-first language school in Port Coquitlam in School District 93 (SD93).

A list of current and ongoing exposure events at Tri-City schools is at the bottom of the page.

In any case, if a Tri-City student or staff member tests positive for COVID-19, 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

Fraser Health adds if you don't receive a phone call or letter from public health, children can continue to go to school but they should also be monitored for COVID-19 symptoms daily.

LOCAL HEALTH CASES

Local health area COVID-19 cases are continuing to trend downward in the Tri-Cities with 114 recorded between Oct. 10 and 16, according to the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC).

This marks a 10 per cent drop compared to the previous count of 127 between Oct. 3 and 9, which is calculated via the Geographic Distribution of COVID-19 by Local Health Area of Case Residence data.

The new number returns the region to a four-week low when 111 were found between Sept. 12 and 18.

Currently, the Tri-Cities is averaging an 86 per cent double-vaccination rate against the virus, as well as a 90.2 per cent single-vaxxed average.