Northern Health's rapid COVID-19 response school team to be based in Fort St. John

The Peace River North school district (SD60) is one of five in the province receiving funding for a regional COVID-19 rapid response team.

The province said Tuesday (March 2) the team will support K-12 schools and districts in the Northern Health region to review safety plans and policies, conduct school safety assessments, and review significant school exposure events.

SD60 Superintendent Stephen Petrucci said Northern Health remains in charge of managing the response to the pandemic, such as contact tracing, testing, and informing schools of exposures.

But the district’s safety officer will see their duties expanded to co-ordinate with districts across the north to share resources and best practices, and communicate concerns with the health authority.

“We will take the opportunity of this initiative to work in a more proactive and preventative role with our network of contacts in northern school districts,” Petrucci said. “It’s not about us having all the answers. It’s sharing processes, and what can we do to build capacity."

The province is spending $900,000 in federal funding on the teams, one for each health region, and which will include public health staff.

The team will also support Northern Health in the event of a major event, such as an exposure that requires a school closure, Petrucci said.

"Every region is different. The metro regions are facing this on a much more regular basis than we are," Petrucci said. "We hope there won’t be these types of major events. We’re there in case."

The team's work is being funded until the end of this school year.

"Rapid response teams are a critically important addition to the health and safety measures that are keeping schools safe for students and staff," said B.C. Education Minister Jennifer Whiteside.

"As the pandemic evolves, these teams will help us respond quickly and adapt, where necessary, to ensure best practices are being consistently applied throughout the education sector."

The up-to-date list of northern B.C. schools marked for a COVID-19 exposure event is as follows: 

• Energetic Learning Campus - Fort St. John (SD60) - Feb. 22-24, 2021
• Charles Hays Secondary (SD52) - Feb. 16-19, 22, 2021
• Skeena Middle (SD82) - Feb. 22-23, 2021
• North Peace Secondary (SD60) - Feb. 22-23, 2021
• Caledonia Secondary (SD82) - Feb. 19, 2021
• Annunciation School - Prince Rupert (Diocese of Prince George) - Feb. 17-19, 22-23, 2021
• Majagaleehl Gali Aks Elementary - Hazelton (SD82) - Feb. 17-19, 22-24, 2021
• Conrad Elementary (SD52) - Feb. 11-12, 2021
• Fort St. James Secondary (SD91) - Feb. 17-19, 2021
• Chief Matthews School - Old Massett Village (Independent) - Feb. 17, 2021
• Notre Dame School (Private) - Feb. 16-18, 2021
• Sk'aadgaa Naay Elementary (SD50) - Feb. 16-17, 2021
• Gidgalang Kuuyas Naay Secondary (SD50) - Feb. 16-17, 2021
• Charles Hays Secondary (SD52) - Feb. 16, 2021
• Dawson Creek Secondary - South Peace Campus (SD59) - Feb. 16-17, 2021
• Ecole Frank Ross Elementary (SD59) - Feb. 16, 2021
• Kispiox Community School (Independent) - Feb. 16-17, 2021
• Lac des Bois Elementary (SD57) - Feb. 16-17, 2021
• Spruceland Traditional Elementary (SD57) - Feb. 10-12, 2021
• Kispiox Community School (Independent) - Feb. 16-17, 2021
• North Peace Secondary (SD60) - Feb. 16-17, 2021
• Charles Hays Secondary (SD52) - Feb. 11, 2021
• Prince Rupert Middle (SD52) - Feb. 11-12, 2021
• Margaret Ma Murray Community School (SD60) - Feb. 17-18, 2021; Feb. 11-12 and 16, 2021
• Chief Matthews School - Old Massett Village (Independent) - Feb. 12, 2021
• Ecole Central Elementary (SD60) - Feb. 9-12, 2021
• Charlie Lake Elementary (SD60) - Feb. 8, 2021
• Duchess Park Secondary (SD57) - Feb. 9-12, 2021
• Crescent Park Elementary (SD59) - Feb. 2, 3, 10, 2021
• Dr. Kearny Middle (SD60) - Feb. 11, 12, 2021
• Prince George Secondary (SD57) - Feb. 11-12, 2021
• Cedars Christian (Independent, Prince George) - Feb. 10-12, 2021
• Uplands Elementary (SD82) - Feb. 2-5, 2021
• Dawson Creek Secondary - Central Campus (SD59) - Feb. 8-9, 2021
• Prince George Secondary (SD57) - Feb. 8-9, 2021
• Cedars Christian - Prince George (SD57) - Feb. 8, 2021
• Conrad Elementary (SD52) - Feb. 4-5, 8, 10, 2021
• Centennial Christian - Terrace (Independent) - Feb. 3-5, 8, 2021
• Heather Park Elementary (SD57) - Feb. 10, 2021
• Spruceland Traditional School (SD57) - Feb. 8-9, 2021
• Charles Hays Secondary (SD52) - Feb. 8-10, 2021
• Pacific Coast School (SD52) - Feb. 4, 2021
• Giscome Elementary (SD57) - Feb. 4, 2021
• Dawson Creek Secondary - South Peace Campus (SD59) - Feb. 5, 8, 2021
• Caledonia Secondary (SD82) - Feb. 3-4, 2021
• Bear Valley School (SD82) - Feb. 2-4, 2021
• Skeena Middle (SD82) - Feb. 2-4, 2021
• Thornhill Elementary (SD82) - Feb. 2-3, 2021
• Cassie Hall Elementary (SD82) - Feb. 5, 2021
• Thornhill Primary School (SD82) - Feb. 1-3, 2021
• Suwilaawks Community School (SD82) - Feb. 2-4, 2021
• Charles Hays Secondary (SD52) - Feb. 8, 2021
• Fort Nelson Secondary (SD81) - Feb. 1-3, 2021
• Tremblay Elementary (SD59) - Feb. 2, 2021
• Cedars Christian - Prince George (Independent) - Feb. 1, 2021
• Conrad Elementary (SD52) - Feb. 3, 2021
• Pineridge Elementary (SD52) - Feb. 3, 2021
• Port Edward Elementary (SD52) - Feb. 1, 2021
• Prince Rupert Middle (SD52) - Jan. 26-29, 2021
• Heritage Elementary (SD57) - Jan. 26, 2021
• Shas Ti-Kelly Road Secondary (SD57) - Jan. 25-27, 2021; Jan. 28-29, 2021
• Duncan Cran Elementary (SD60) - Jan. 28-29, 2021
• Decker Lake Elementary (SD91) - Jan. 22-26, 2021
• Notre Dame in Dawson Creek (Private) - Jan. 25, 2021
• Fraser Lake Elementary (SD91) - Jan. 25, 2021
• Centennial Christian - Terrace (Independent) - Jan. 20-22, 2021; Jan. 26-27, 2021; Jan. 27-29, 2021
• Gudangaay Tlaats'gaa Naay Secondary (SD50) - Jan. 22, 2021
• Heritage Elementary (SD57) - Jan. 20-22, 2021
• Nak'albun Elementary (Independent) - Jan. 18, 2021
• Uplands Elementary (SD82) - Jan. 19-21, 2021
• Centennial Christian - Terrace (Independent) - Jan. 20-21, 2021
• Parkside Secondary (SD82) - Jan. 8, 2021; Jan. 12-13, 2021
• Prince Rupert Middle (SD52) - Jan. 13-15, 2021
• Houston Secondary (SD54) - Jan. 13-15, 2021
• Fort St. James Secondary (SD91) - Jan. 15, 2021
• Nak'albun Elementary (Independent) - Jan. 11-14, 2021
• Caledonia Secondary (SD82) - Jan. 12-13, 2021
• DP Todd Secondary (SD57) - Jan. 4-6, 2021; Jan. 11-12, 2021
• Chalo School (Independent, Fort Nelson First Nation) - Jan. 5-7, 2021; Jan. 6-8, 2021
• North Peace Secondary (SD60) - Jan. 4, 2021; Jan. 11, 2021; 13-14, 2021
• Clearview Elementary-Junior Secondary (SD60) - Jan. 7-8, 2021
• Centennial Christian - Terrace (Independent) - Jan. 11-12, 2021
• Houston Secondary (SD54) - Jan. 11-13, 2021
• Fort Nelson Secondary (SD81) - Jan. 11, 2021
• Conrad Elementary (SD52) Jan. 11-13, 2021
• Prince Rupert Middle (SD52) - Jan. 8, 2021
• Lax Kxeen Elementary (SD52) - Jan. 7-8, 12, 2021
• Decker Lake Elementary (SD91) - Jan. 4-6, 2021
• Prince George Secondary (SD57) - Jan. 6-7, 2021
• Uplands Elementary (SD82) - Jan. 4-6, 2021
• McNaughton Secondary (SD28) - Jan. 6-8, 2021
• Valemount Secondary (SD57) - Jan. 6, 2021
• Skeena Middle (SD82) - Jan. 4, 2021
• Ecole Central Elementary (SD60) - Jan. 4, 2021
• Mountain Christian (Independent) - Dec. 18, 2020
  • Dec. 18, 2020 = Self-monitoring ended Jan. 1, 2021
• Cedars Christian - Prince George (Independent) - Dec. 14-16, 2020
  • Dec. 14-16 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 30, 2020
• Bert Ambrose Elementary (SD60) - Dec. 17-18, 2020
  • Dec. 17-18 = Self-monitoring ended Jan. 1, 2021
• Sacred Heart Elementary (Diocese of Prince George) - Dec. 10-11, 2020
  • Dec. 10-11 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 25
• Skeena Middle (SD82) - Dec. 1-4, 2020; Dec. 7-11, 2020
  • Dec. 1-4 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 25
  • Dec. 7-11 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 25
• Caledonia Secondary (SD82) - Dec. 1-4, 2020; Dec. 7-11, 2020
  • Dec. 1-4 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 25
  • Dec. 7-11 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 25
• Parkside Secondary (SD82) - Dec. 1-4, 2020; Dec. 7-11, 2020
  • Dec. 1-4 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 25
  • Dec. 7-11 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 25
• Ecole Mountain View Elementary (SD82) - Dec. 1-4, 2020; Dec. 7-11, 2020
  • Dec. 1-4 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 25
  • Dec. 7-11 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 25
• Smithers Secondary (SD54) - Dec. 11, 2020
  • Dec. 11 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 25 
• Margaret Ma Murray Community School (SD60) - Dec. 7-11, 2020; Dec. 14-16, 2020
  • Dec. 7-11 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 25
  • Dec. 14-16 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 30
• Alwin Holland Elementary (SD60) - Dec. 14-17, 2020
  • Dec. 14-17 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 31
• North Peace Secondary (SD60) - Dec. 14-17, 2020
  • Dec. 14-17 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 31
• Bert Bowes Middle (SD60) - Dec. 14-16, 2020; Dec. 1-4, 2020; Dec. 17-18; Nov. 16, 18-20, 30, 2020
  • Dec. 14-16 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 30, 2020
  • Dec. 17-18 = Self-monitoring ended Jan. 1, 2021
• Pinewood Elementary (SD57) - Dec. 14-15, 2020; Dec. 14-18, 2020
  • Dec. 14-15 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 29, 2020
  • Dec. 14-18 = Self-monitoring ended Jan. 1, 2021
• Southridge Elementary (SD57) - Dec. 10, 2020
  • Dec. 10 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 24, 2020
• Caledonia Secondary (SD82) - Dec. 10-11, 2020; Nov. 30-Dec. 4, 2020; Dec. 1-2, 2020; Nov. 30, 2020
  • Dec. 10-11 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 25, 2020
• Heather Park Elementary (SD57) - Dec. 1-2, 3, 4, 7-8, 2020
  • Dec. 11 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 25, 2020 
• Westwood Elementary (SD57) - Dec. 9; Dec. 8, 2020
  • Dec. 8 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 22, 2020
  • Dec. 9 = Self-monitoring endedDec. 23, 2020 
• St. Mary's Catholic School (Diocese of Prince George) - Dec. 8-11, 2020; Dec. 7-10, 2020; Dec. 3-4, 2020; Dec. 1-2, 2020
  • Dec. 7-10 = Self-monitoring ended Dec 24, 2020
  • Dec. 8-11 = Self-monitoring ended Dec.25, 2020
• Mountain View Christian Academy (Independent) - Dec. 8-10, 2020; Dec. 7-8, 2020
  • Dec. 7-8 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 22, 2020
  • Dec. 8-10 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 24, 2020
• Thornhill Primary School (SD82) - Dec. 4, 7-11, 14-17, 2020
  • Dec. 4, 7-11,14-17 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 31, 2020
• Walnut Park Elementary (SD54) - Dec. 9-10, 2020; Dec. 13-15, 2020
  • Dec. 9-10 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 24, 2020
  • Dec. 13-15 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 29, 2020
• Shas Ti-Kelly Road Secondary (SD57) - Dec. 7-11, 2020; Dec. 1-2, 2020; Nov. 30, 2020
  • Dec. 7-11 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 25, 2020
• College Heights Secondary (SD57) - Dec. 10-11, 2020; Dec. 17-18, 2020
  • Dec. 10-11 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 25, 2020
  • Dec. 17-18 = Self-monitoring ended Jan. 1, 2021
• DP Todd Secondary (SD57) - Dec. 1 and 2, 2020
• Dawson Creek Secondary - South Peace Campus (SD59) - Dec. 8, 2020; Nov. 16-18, 2020; Sept. 23-25, 2020
  • Dec. 8 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 22, 2020
• Smithers Secondary (SD54) - Dec. 7 and 10, 2020
  • Dec. 10 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 24, 2020
• Fort Nelson Secondary (SD81) - Dec. 7, 2020; Oct. 15-16, 2020
• Ecole Central Elementary (SD60) - Dec. 2-3, 4, 2020
• Nak’albun Elementary (Independent) - Dec. 3-4, 2020; Nov. 22-25, 2020; Sept. 16-18, 2020
• Suwilaawks Community School - Terrace (SD82) - Dec. 1-2, 3-4, 2020; Nov. 27, 30, 2020
• Kitwanga Elementary (SD82) - Dec. 1-3, 2020
• Prince George Secondary (SD57) - Dec. 1-3, 2020; Nov. 18, 2020; Oct. 2, 2020
• Margaret Ma Murray Community School (SD60) - Dec. 1-4, 2020; Nov. 23-26, 27, 30, 2020
• Uplands Elementary (SD82) - Dec. 1, 2020; Nov. 30, 2020
• Fort St. James Secondary (SD91) - Dec. 1, 2020; Nov. 19-20, 20-26, 30, 2020
• Veritas Catholic School (Diocese of Prince George) - Nov. 30, 2020
• Anne Roberts Young Elementary (SD60) - Nov. 30, 2020
• Bert Ambrose Elementary (SD60) - Nov. 30, 2020
• David Hoy Elementary (SD91) - Nov. 30-Dec. 1, 2020; Nov. 25-26, 2020; Sept. 17-18, 2020
• William Konkin Elementary in Burns Lake (SD91) - Nov. 16, 23-24, 23-27, 2020
• Energetic Learning Campus in Fort St. John (SD60) - Nov. 16-20, 23-27, 30, 2020
• Peden Hill Elementary (SD57) - Nov. 12-17, 17-20, 24-27, Nov. 30, 2020
• Centennial Christian in Terrace (Independent) - Nov. 23-26, 2020; Dec. 14-16, 2020
  • Dec. 14-16 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 29, 2020
• North Peace Secondary (SD60) - Nov. 10, 12-13, 16, 19-20, 24-26, 2020; Dec. 16-17, 2020
  • Dec. 17-18 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 31, 2020
• Sacred Heart Elementary (Diocese of Prince George) - Nov. 25-27, 2020
• Charlie Lake Elementary (SD60) - Nov. 23-24, 16-26, 2020, Dec. 14-18, 2020
  • Dec. 14-18 = Self-monitoring ended Jan. 1, 2021
• Ecole College Heights Elementary (SD57) - Nov. 19-20, 20-24, 2020
• Beaverly Elementary (SD57) - Nov. 23-24, 2020
• Foothills Elementary (SD57) - Nov. 23, 2020
• Lakes District Secondary (SD91) - Nov. 23, 2020, Dec. 17, 2020
  • Dec. 17 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 31, 2020
• Chetwynd Secondary (SD59) - Nov. 13, 2020
• Van Bien Elementary (SD57) - Nov. 9-10, 2020
• Ron Brent Elementary (SD57) - Oct. 30, 2020
• Hudson's Hope Elementary-Junior Secondary (SD60) - Oct. 26-Nov. 4, 2020
• Immaculate Conception School (Diocese of Prince George) - Oct. 21-23, 2020
• Roosevelt Park Elementary (SD52) - Oct. 21-22, 2020
• Notre Dame in Dawson Creek (Private) - Oct. 13-14, 2020
• Quesnel Junior Secondary (SD28) - Sept. 10-11, 15-18, 2020
• Ecole Frank Ross Elementary (SD59) - Sept. 10-11, 2020

Northern Health's school-exposure section also explains the following:

• Contact tracing is initiated to determine how the individual was infected and who they were in close contact with
• We identify and notify close contacts who may be at an increased risk, and advise them to self-isolate and monitor for symptoms for 14 days
• Only Public Health can determine who is a close contact
  • Learning groups, friends or other connections may not be determined to be a close contact
• Public Health staff works closely with the school and school district throughout the case and contact management process to maintain close communication with the school community

- with a file from Kyle Balzer, PrinceGeorgeMatters