Northern Health is reporting three new COVID-19 exposures in the region today (Dec. 1), all within Fort St. James.
A second exposure event has been detected at Nak'albun Elementary School, an independent institution, with students and staff potentially coming into contact with someone in the community who tested positive between Nov. 22 and 25.
The school's first exposure was between Sept. 16 and 18.
The Nak'azdli Whut'en First Nation runs and operates the school, which takes in an average of 100 students each year, according to the district's website.
Two other public exposures in the district's area include the Fort St. James Cold Weather Shelter and The Key Resource Centre.
The dates of possible exposure in both facilities, according to Northern Health, are between Nov. 12 and 25.
"Public health officials are asking people who visited either the resource centre or shelter during this time period, to take extra care to self-monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 until December 10th (14 days from the last date of possible exposure)," the authority says in a statement.
"Public health contact tracing is underway and, where possible, NH is reaching out directly to individuals who have been exposed."
It adds if you have come into contact with the virus, Northern Health says its public health officials or the Nak’azdli Health Centre will contact you directly.
As for Nak'albun, the authority'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.
Should a student or teacher receive a positive COVID-19 test, Northern Heath's school notification process is as follows:
- 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
Northern Health is once again reminding all of its communities to follow the updated COVID-19 safety guidelines, which include mandatory masks in all indoor public and retail spaces, no social gatherings of any size, avoid non-essential travel and staying home if you're feeling sick.
As of this publication, there have been 860 COVID-19 cases found in northern B.C., including 15 additional infections in the last 24 hours and a seventh death.
There are also 250 active cases with 13 people in critical care among 33 in hospital.
1/3 Northern Health is advising of a potential exposure to COVID-19, at The Key Resource Centre, and the Cold Weather Shelter in Fort St James, between November 12 and 25.
— Northern Health (@Northern_Health) December 1, 2020
