Island Health has added two schools in the Comox Valley to the COVID-19 exposure list on Monday morning.
According to the health authority, exposures have been reported at Highland Secondary School and Courtenay Elementary School
The reported exposure at Highland Secondary School – located at 750 Pritchard Rd. in Comox – occurred on Feb. 22 and Feb. 23.
The reported exposure at Courtenay Elementary School – located on McPhee Avenue – took place on Feb. 22, 23 and 24.
According to Island Health, exposure is defined as a single person with a lab-confirmed COVID-19 infection who attended school during their infectious period.
In addition to the two Comox Valley schools, Island Health currently has 19 other facilities currently on its school exposures list.
Over the weekend, multiple schools were added to the exposure list as cases have seen a recent spike across Vancouver Island.
Facilities added to the list over the weekend include Aspen Park Elementary School in Comox, Chemainus Elementary Community School, and Ceder Elementary School in Nanaimo.
Island Health notes that if a parent or guardian sees a notification on the health authority’s school exposure site, it does not necessarily mean their child has been exposed to COVID-19.
Island Health outlines that public health members work with the school and school district to ensure close contacts are notified directly and provided specific guidance.
If a parent or guardian does not receive a phone call or letter from public health, a child can continue to attend school, Island Health notes.
Graham Cox
