Two Prince George schools have been marked once again for other COVID-19 exposure events.
Shas Ti-Kelly Road Secondary is being warned a second time, while St. Mary's Catholic School, who officially decided to close its doors early for winter break on Wednesday (Dec. 18), was listed a third time in the same month.
Students and staff at Shas Ti-Kelly Road may have come into contact with someone who tested positive for the virus between Dec. 7 to 11, while the St. Mary's community may have been exposed from Dec. 7 to 10.
Shas Ti-Kelly Road, a member of School District 57 (SD57), was first flagged for COVID-19 with the dates cited as Nov. 30 to Dec. 2.
St. Mary's School's previous exposures are Dec. 1 and 2, and Dec. 3 and 4.
In a letter to parents, Catholic Independent Schools Diocese of Prince George Superintendent Chris Dugdale says the institution is closed due to staffing shortages with students formally beginning winter break tomorrow (Dec. 18).
"After consultation with our Northern Health Officer, the Ministry of Education and Principal Jenny Schroeder, St. Mary's will be closed Wednesday December 16 until noon Friday, December 18 inclusive due to staff shortages stemming from the coronavirus," Dugdale said.
"Opportunities for the continuity of learning will continue for your child for the 2.5 days remaining this week.
"Your child's classroom teachers will make contact with your child prior to noon on Friday. The office will remain open during these days to facilitate picking up belongings and/or work packages.
Meanwhile, three other northern B.C. schools were flagged for COVID-19 as well.
Terrace's Thornhill Primary School (SD82) may have been exposed Dec. 4, 7-11 and 14-17, while Mountain View Christian Academy (Independent) may have come into contact Dec. 7 and/or 8.
In Smithers, students and staff at Walnut Park Elementary (SD54) may have come into contact Dec. 9 and/or 10.
Northern Health's school-exposure section explains students should still go to school "if you do not receive a phone call or letter from Public Health," but you're also encouraged to monitor symptoms daily.
- 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
The full list of schools in the north where COVID-19 has been detected is as follows:
- Thornhill Primary School (SD82) - Dec. 4, 7-11, 14-17, 2020
- Walnut Park Elementary (SD54) - Dec. 9-10, 2020
- Shas Ti-Kelly Road Secondary (SD57) - Dec. 7-11, 2020; Dec. 1-2, 2020; Nov. 30, 2020
- St. Mary's Catholic School (Diocese of Prince George) - Dec. 7-10, 2020; Dec. 3-4, 2020; Dec. 1-2, 2020
- College Heights Secondary (SD57) - Dec. 10 and 11, 2020
- D.P. 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
- Caledonia Secondary (SD82) - Nov. 30-Dec. 4, 2020; Dec. 1-2, 2020; Nov. 30, 2020
- Smithers Secondary (SD54) - Dec. 7 and 10, 2020
- Westwood Elementary (SD57) - Dec. 8, 2020
- Heather Park Elementary (SD57) - Dec. 1-2, 3, 4, 7-8, 2020
- Fort Nelson Secondary (SD81) - Dec. 7, 2020; Oct. 15-16, 2020
- Skeena Middle (SD82) - Dec. 4 and 7, 2020
- Ecole Central Elementary (SD60) - Dec. 4, 2020
- Nak’albun Elementary (Independent) - Dec. 3-4, 2020; Nov. 22-25, 2020; Sept. 16-18, 2020
- Ecole Central Elementary (SD60) - Dec. 2-3, 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
- Bert Bowes Middle (SD60) - Dec. 1-4, 2020; Nov. 16, 18-20, 30, 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
- North Peace Secondary (SD60) - Nov. 10, 12-13, 16, 19-20, 24-26, 2020
- Sacred Heart Elementary (Diocese of Prince George) - Nov. 25-27, 2020
- Charlie Lake Elementary (SD60) - Nov. 23-24, 16-26, 2020
- 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
- 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
As of this publication, Northern Health has found 1,465 COVID-19 infections since March, including 47 new ones in the last 24 hours.
This includes 401 active cases, 19 people in critical care among 47 total hospitalizations, 1,046 recoveries and 15 deaths.
