Four schools in Fraser Health region warned of exposure to COVID-19 variant

SURREY (NEWS 1130) — Students, staff, and families at four more schools in the Fraser Health region are being warned about potential exposures to a variant of COVID-19.

Sunday’s notices bring the total number of schools that have been issued warnings in the Fraser Health region up to seven.

A case of the variant was also confirmed at Kwantlen Park Elementary but in that case the person who tested positive “was never on site when infectious,” according to Superintendent Jordan Tinney.

On Saturday, exposure notices were sent to three schools in Surrey. Those schools are Ecole Woodward Hill Elementary, Tamanawis Secondary and A.H.P Matthew Elementary.

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On Sunday, an exposure notice was issued for Hellings Park Elementary in Delta, according to Fraser Health. That school is currently not listed on the Fraser Health website as the site of an exposure.

Later, Tinney shared exposure warnings for two more schools, James Ardiel Elementary, and Surrey Traditional School. Updated information was provided for Tamanawis Secondary.

At James Aridel Elementary two people have tested positive for a variant of concern. The exposure dates listed are Feb. 8, 10 and 11.

At Surrey Traditional School, three cases have been identified. Those people were in the school on Feb. 4, 5 and 8.

“This variant or type of virus may spread more easily,” the notices read.

“Testing for the variant takes longer than standard COVID-19 testing which is why we have received this information now,” the letters all read.

Tonight we issue 3 school exposure notices for a COVID variant at James Ardiel, Surrey Traditional and Tamanawis. Thank you to @Fraserhealth and all staff and community for working with us this weekend. #surreybc #sd36learn @CityofSurrey pic.twitter.com/wsMPQ9NgnX

— Jordan Tinney (@jordantinney) February 22, 2021

An email from Fraser Health late Sunday also mentions a possible exposure at Gobind Sarvar School, an independent Sikh school in Surrey.

The exposure dates for that school are listed as Feb. 8 and 9.

“Fraser Health is working to manage a COVID-19 exposure at that location,” a letter reads.

However, it isn’t confirmed if the late Sunday update is in addition to the one currently listed on the Fraser Health website.

Sunday’s news prompted the President of the BC Teachers’ Federation to issue a statement demanding the province do more to keep schools safe from COVID-19.

“The BC government and health officials have the power to make schools safer and they must use that power. With COVID-19 variants clearly spreading in communities, it is time for these officials to take immediate action,” Teri Mooring writes.

Taking issue with a one-size-fits-all approach to COVID-19 safety measures in schools, Mooring says districts where case counts are high or variants of concerns are detected need to be able to bring in enhanced measures.

“A school district should be able to make regional or site-based enhancements to the safety protocols. Those enhancements include mandating masks everywhere in specific schools, including at elementary schools, and making changes to schedules or online learning access to reduce density and increase physical distancing,” she continues.

Saying notifications confirming variant cases of the virus in schools are creating “rapidly rising” anxiety, Mooring also says rapid testing needs to be expanded.

“This is not the time to be conservative with testing. Everyone connected to a class with a COVID-19 variant exposure should receive a rapid test.”