Fraser Health has listed more Burnaby schools as having COVID-19 exposures, including multiple dates for two local high schools.
They are:
- Byrne Creek secondary has had multiple exposure dates, including Jan. 29, Feb. 3, 4, 5, 8 and 9
- Cariboo Hill secondary: Feb. 2, 3, 4 and 5
The case tracker also lists Burnaby Winter Club Hockey 2 Team as having exposures on Feb. 3, 4 and 6.
The latest list includes multiple Burnaby high schools and elementary schools, according to those posted on the Fraser Health coronavirus tracker site. (Other cases may have been identified at Burnaby schools with parents notified, but there is sometimes a lag before they reach the Fraser Health site.)
- Douglas Road: Feb. 8 and 9
- 12th Avenue: Feb. 8, 9 and 10
- Capitol Hill: Feb. 1, 2 and 8
- Seaforth: Feb. 4 and 5
- Lakeview: Feb 3 and 4
- Stride Avenue: Feb. 3, 4 and 5
- Aubrey Elementary: Feb. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 8
- Chaffey-Burke Elementary has had exposures on Jan. 12, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 25, 26, 27, 28 and 29, but none listed so far in February.
The latest school cases come as stricter measures on masks in schools were announced recently.
The only exceptions are when sitting or standing at their seat or workstation in a classroom, where there is a barrier in place, or while they are eating or drinking.
Previously, masks were only required for these groups in high-traffic areas, like hallways and outside of classrooms or in learning groups when they could not safely distance from others.
Now staff and students will have to wear a mask when they walk around a classroom or go in and out the classroom door, as well as in other places where people congregate.
Exceptions will be made for people who do not tolerate masks for behavioural or health reasons, and even with masks, physical distancing is still required.
For elementary students, wearing masks indoors remains a personal choice. However, the new policy removes the words “not recommended” and replaces them with “not required,” to “make it a little easier to have the mask encouragement where elementary schools feel they want to have it.”
- With files from Diane Strandberg, Tri-City News
