A COVID-19 exposure has been identified in Brooks Secondary School’s online class.
According to superintendent of schools Jay Yule, the online classroom is a space at the school where students work individually on computer-based courses with teacher support.
“With contact tracing, limited exposure and strong safety protocols, we are confident that the system that Vancouver Coastal Health and School District 47 have in place is an effective safety measure,” said Yule.
Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) has circulated a letter, which, it states, is to inform parents, guardians, staff and students of the school that a COVID-19 exposure has been identified in Brooks online class. VCH stated the exposure occurred on April 22 and 23.
“Please be reassured that the current COVID safety plans in our schools, when followed correctly, are very effective in preventing transmission,” the letter stated. “Public health is working closely with the school to identify any close contacts among staff or students. Anyone identified as a close contact will be notified directly by public health and asked to isolate for 14 days from their last date of possible exposure.”
The letter states that if people at the school do not receive a call from public health, their risk of exposure is considered to be very low and VCH does not recommend that they isolate at this time.
“You and your household can continue with your normal daily activities,” the letter stated. “We will continue to monitor the school and will communicate any updates to our recommendations.”
The letter stated that new illness related to this school exposure may occur up to 14 days from the last date of exposure and VCH therefore recommends self-monitoring for signs of illness until May 7. The standard daily health checks are the best way to monitor for symptoms.
“If you develop new symptoms consistent with COVID-19 within those 14 days, please seek testing and bring a copy of this letter with you to the testing site,” the letter stated. “After 14 days, daily self-monitoring should continue due to potential for ongoing exposure in the community.
“Please do not seek COVID-19 testing if you do not have symptoms. Testing is not recommended while asymptomatic because results are not accurate or useful.”
Key symptoms of COVID-19 include: cough, loss of taste and smell, shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever and chills.
For more information on COVID-19, go to vch.ca/covid-19.
For more information on testing, go to vch.ca/covid-19/covid-19-testing.
For more information on COVID-19 and VCH school exposures, go to vch.ca/covid-19/school-exposures.
The letter states if people have any questions specific to this exposure, to call public health at Pod 8: 604.983.6714.
