25 COVID-19 exposures in Island schools as mask mandate goes into effect for K-12 students

As the mask mandate within B.C. schools expands to include all grades, Island Health is reporting more COVID-19 exposures at local schools.

Starting today, Oct. 4, all students have to wear a face mask while inside a school building, including at their desks and on buses, after the province extended the requirement on Friday to cover students from Kindergarten to Grade 3.

The decision came after three of B.C.’s largest school boards expanded their mask mandates last week, and provincial officials reviewed the latest data and listened to concerns raised by teachers, parents, and students.

As well, the BC Teachers Federation (BCTF) has been advocating for stronger safety measures. When speaking with our newsroom last week, BCTF president, Teri Mooring, just couldn’t wrap her head around certain grades not having to wear masks in school. 

Given Kindergarten to Grade 3 students aren’t eligible for COVID-19 vaccinations, it made “absolutely no sense” to Mooring as to why this group wasn’t required to wear a mask when classes resumed back on Sept. 7.

COVID-19 exposures in schools climb:

Meanwhile, 25 schools currently sit on Island Health’s ‘Potential Exposures in Schools’ list, with Greater Victoria-based School District 61 seeing the most – a total of nine. 

Exposures have also been reported at schools in Duncan, Nanaimo, Comox, Campbell River, Sooke, Brentwood Bay, Ladysmith, Port Alberni, and Parksville.

Many of the exposures classify as clusters, which is “two or more confirmed cases within a 14-day period, with evidence of transmission occurring within the school and no other likely source of exposure,” Island Health explains.

It was last Tuesday (Sept. 28) when Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, said that health authorities would begin posting ‘potential exposure events’ within schools online again. Mooring told us she was “happy” the notification system was coming back. 

READ MORE: BCTF president finds COVID-19 school notifications needed now more than ever

According to Island Health, its staff works directly with staff at schools to identify anyone who may have been exposed, and to carry out case and contact management.

Those identified as cases or close contacts will be instructed to self-isolate directly by Public Health teams, but those not notified by Public Health via phone or letter can continue to attend school, as long as no symptoms arise.

Potential exposures in Island schools (as of Monday afternoon):

School District 61:

School name	Dates of Potential Exposure
Sir James Douglas Elementary Victoria	September 16, 17, 20, 21, 22, 23, 2021 (Cluster)
Willows Elementary Victoria	September 24, 2021
George Jay Elementary Victoria	September 21, 22, 23, 24, 2021 (Cluster)
Tillicum Community School Victoria	September 20, 21, 22, 23, 2021 (Cluster)
Cloverdale Traditional Elementary Victoria	September 15, 16, 20, 21, 22, 2021 (Cluster)
Quadra Elementary Victoria	September 13, 14, 15, 20, 22, 23, 24, 2021
Torquay Elementary Victoria	September 22, 23, 24, 2021
École Macaulay Victoria	September 20, 21, 22, 23, 2021
Gordon Head Middle School Victoria	September 22, 23, 24, 2021

 

School District 62:

School name	Dates of Potential Exposure
École Poirier Sooke	September 16, 17, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 28 2021 (Cluster)

 

School District 63:

School name	Dates of Potential Exposure
Bayside Middle School Brentwood Bay	September 24, 25, 2021
Deep Cove Elementary North Saanich	September 20, 22, 2021 (Cluster)

 

School District 68:

School name	Dates of Potential Exposure
Pleasant Valley Elementary Nanaimo	September 14, 15, 16, 17, 20, 21, 22, 24, 2021 (Cluster)
École North Oyster Elementary Ladysmith	September 27, 2021
Cinnabar Valley Elementary Nanaimo	September 20, 21, 23, 24, 28, 29, 2021
Departure Bay Elementary Nanaimo	September 17, 2021

 

School District 69:

School name	Dates of Potential Exposure
Springwood Elementary Parksville	September 27, 2021

 

School District 70:

School name	Dates of Potential Exposure
Ucluelet Elementary Ucluelet	September 28, 2021
EJ Dunn Port Alberni	September 15, 16, 17, 20, 21, 23, 24, 2021 (Cluster)

 

School District 71:

School name	Dates of Potential Exposure
Brooklyn Elementary Comox	September 15, 16, 17, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 2021 (Cluster)

 

School District 72:

School name	Dates of Potential Exposure
École Phoenix Middle School Campbell River	September 20, 21, 2021
Campbell River Christian School Campbell River	September  15, 16, 17, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 2021 (Cluster)

 

School District 79:

School name	Dates of Potential Exposure
Tansor Elementary Duncan	September 9, 10, 13, 16, 17, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 2021 (Cluster)
George Bonner Elementary Mill Bay	September 22, 23, 24, 2021
Mt Prevost Elementary Duncan	September 16, 23, 24, 2021 (Cluster)