A Prince George school has been added to Northern Health's list of COVID-19 exposure events, the day students and staff returned from spring break.
Duchess Park Secondary's community is being alerted of coming into contact with someone who recently tested positive for the virus on April 6.
This is the third time during the pandemic the School District 57 (SD57) member has been flagged for COVID-19.
It was also warned for an exposure event prior to the two-week break on March 16 and 17, with a self-monitoring period that ended March 31.
Duchess Park's first reported event was Feb. 9 to 12.
Since students went back to class in September, 25 Prince George-based schools have been warned for at least one COVID-19 exposure event thus far, which includes 22 SD57 facilities and three private institutions.
In all instances, Northern Health's school-exposure section 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
An up-to-date list of northern B.C. schools marked for a recent COVID-19 exposure event, and listed with a self-monitoring period, is as follows:
- Duchess Park Secondary (SD57) - April 6, 2021
- Kersley Elementary (SD28) - April 6-8, 2021
- Key Learning Centre, Fort St. John (SD60) - March 30, 2021
- Dawson Creek Secondary, South Peace Campus (SD59) - March 31-April 1, 2021
- Robert Ogilvie Elementary (SD60) - March 31, 2021
- Canalta Elementary (SD59) - March 29, 2021
- Prince Rupert Middle (SD52) - March 29, 2021
- Dawson Creek Secondary, South Peace Campus (SD59) - March 29, 2021
- Lax Kxeen Elementary (SD52) - March 29-30, 2021
- Duncan Cran Elementary (SD60) - March 29-30, 2021
- Devereaux Elementary (SD59) - March 29, 2021
- Dawson Creek Secondary (SD59) - March 31, 2021
- Ecole Frank Ross Elementary (SD59) - March 29, 2021
As of this publication (April 12), Northern Health has recorded 6,442 positive tests for COVID-19, which has included 129 deaths.
There are currently 333 active cases, 12 people admitted into critical care or ICU among 34 total hospitalizations and 5,971 recoveries.
To date, 52,714 vaccines have been administered across northern B.C., 49,898 of which are first doses.
Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry is scheduled to provide B.C. with an update on COVID-19 cases and measures at 3 p.m. today.
