Island Health cautions of COVID-19 exposure at Port Alberni elementary school

Island Health cautions of COVID-19 exposure at Port Alberni elementary school
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A notice posted on the Island Health website says the latest exposure was on Dec. 15, 16, 17 and 18 at Wood Elementary School, located at 4111 Wood Ave. in Port Alberni.

Island Health has declared a new COVID-19 exposure connected to a school in Port Alberni.

A notice posted on the Island Health website says the latest exposure was on Dec. 15, 16, 17 and 18 at Wood Elementary School, located at 4111 Wood Ave. in Port Alberni.

Island Health has initiated contact tracing to identify any staff and students that need to self-isolate or self-monitor for symptoms.

This is the second time since September that Wood Elementary has been linked to a COVID-19 exposure. It currently is the only school on Island Health’s exposure list.

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

On the Island Health ‘Exposures In Schools’ page, officials say, “if your child’s school has been notified of an exposure, no action is required unless you are contacted by Public Health or are otherwise directed by school officials.”

“A notification…does not necessarily mean your child has been exposed to COVID-19,” Island Health says.

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 said.

You can monitor your child for COVID-19 symptoms daily using the daily health check form. A self-assessment tool is also available at bc.thrive.health.

More information and resources regarding schools and COVID-19 is available at bccdc.ca/covid19

Wood Elementary School will remain on Island Health’s ‘Exposure in Schools’ page for the next 14 days.

No further information will be provided to the public in regards to the case of COVID-19 for privacy reasons, according to Island Health.

Graham CoxGraham Cox

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