COVID-19 exposures reported at multiple schools on Vancouver Island

Several schools on Vancouver Island have reported COVID-19 exposures since March 4.

Four schools are in School District 68 (Nanaimo), two schools are in School District 79 (Cowichan Valley), and one school is in School District 69 (Qualicum). All schools have been added to Island Health’s current COVID-19 school exposure list.

A school exposure is defined by Island Health as a single person with a lab-confirmed COVID-19 infection who attended school during their infectious period.

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.

Furthermore, if a parent or guardian does not receive a phone call or letter from public health, a child can continue to attend school, according to the health authority.

Nanaimo/Ladysmith (School District 68):

Bayview Elementary — located on View Street — experienced exposures on March 1 and 2.

Nanaimo District Secondary School (NDSS) — located on Wakesiah Avenue — experienced exposures on Feb. 19, 22, 23, 24, 25 and 26 as well as on March 1 and 2.

Wellington Secondary — located on Mexicana Road — experienced exposures on March 1 and 2.

Ladysmith Secondary School — located on Sixth Avenue — experienced exposures on Feb. 25 and 26.

Island Health added Bayview to its list on March 5, while NDSS and Wellington Secondary were added on March 4. Ladysmith Secondary was already on Island Health’s list due to reported exposures that occurred in mid-February.

Duncan (School District 71):

Khowhemun Elementary — located on Cliffs Road in Duncan — experienced exposures on March 1 and 2.

Quamichan Middle School — located on Beverly Street in Duncan — experienced an exposure on March 2.

Both Duncan schools were added to Island Health’s current exposure list on March 4.

Parkville/Qualicum (School District 69):

École Oceanside Elementary — located on Wright Road in Parksville — experienced exposures on Feb. 25 and 26 as well as on March 1.

Oceanside was already on Island Health’s exposure list when the school’s most recent exposure was confirmed on March 4.

A total of 18 schools across Vancouver Island are on Island Health’s COVID-19 exposure list, including Courtenay Elementary School, David Cameron Elementary School, and George P. Vanier Secondary School. Schools are removed from the exposure list 14 days after the last reported date of exposure.

A surge in cases at schools in the Comox Valley has lead to more than 1,600 people signing a petition demanding that School District 71 suspend in-class learning temporarily.

Editorial Policies Report an Error