Vancouver Coastal Health has issued a COVID-19 exposure alert for Signal Hill Elementary school in Pemberton.
The potential exposure dates is September 21.
VCH says a notification does not mean your child has been exposed to COVID-19.
If you do not receive a phone call or letter from Public Health, your child should continue to attend school. You can monitor your child for COVID-19 symptoms daily using the BC COVID-19 Health Assessment Tool.
Should a student or staff tests positive for COVID-19, VCH said its immediate priority is to notify individuals who may be exposed in the most direct manner.
“This is the most effective public health practice as it allows us to quickly contact affected individuals as well as maintain patient confidentiality,” VCH said.
“When we are unable to directly reach all close contacts in a timely manner, we use other means to contact students, parents and staff, which may include a letter and/or public notification.”
If a student or teacher receives a confirmed positive COVID-19 test result, Public Health follows the following protocol:
Contact tracing is initiated to determine how the individual was infected and who they were in close contact with.
Close contacts are identified who may be at an increased risk, and are advised 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.
