Island Health has added another Vancouver Island school to the COVID-19 exposure list as of Wednesday morning.
The latest school added is an elementary school located in Duncan.
According to the health authority, an exposure has been reported at Alexander Elementary School – located at 2471 Beverly Street in Duncan.
The health authority is cautioning staff, students and parents of a possible exposure at the facility on January 13, 14, and 15.
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.
This becomes the fourth school in Duncan that has been added to the Island Health COVID-19 School Exposures list in the past few weeks.
Currently, Duncan Christian School, Cowichan Secondary and Quamichan Middle School have all reported possible exposures to the coronavirus since the start of January.
Duncan Christian School announced earlier this week that it had decided to close the facility until February due to limited staff available after following safety protocols.
In a letter sent out by the school, the administration said that there have been multiple days of exposure at the facility and many members of the school community are currently following British Columbia’s health protocols.
“By following precautionary measures, such as isolation, a high number of staff members are affected. This makes it difficult to function operationally,” said Principal Peter Terpstra.
The school indicates that classes will move to at-home learning for the next two weeks as the facility shuts its doors as a safety precaution.
Along with the four schools in Duncan, Island Health is currently cautioning of possible exposures at the following facilities:
- Chemainus Secondary School
- St. Michaels University School (Junior School) in Victoria
- NIDES/ Navigation SD71 Distance Education in Courtenay
- Miracle Beach Elementary (on school bus route) in Black Creek
- Royal Bay Secondary School in Victoria
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.
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