World News – CA – Coronavirus outbreak forces entire school shutdown in Kelowna, BC

An Okanagan school was completely closed for 10 days due to a coronavirus outbreak and related staff shortage, according to letter sent to parents and students on Sunday

The Domestic Health Authority (IHA) has confirmed that 11 positive cases are linked to École de l’Anse-au-sable, a French-language school located on Lequime Road in Kelowna, BC

Health officials said 160 members of the school community may have been exposed to the virus and are self-isolating for 14 days

Read more:
Coronavirus outbreak declared at Okanagan school with 3 positive tests; 160 says to isolate

“After an analysis of the school population and available human resources, the administration of the French-speaking school board (CSF) has no other choice but to close the Anse-au-sable school until November 4, 2020 inclusive, to ensure safety, ”says the letter from the school administrators

The letter is signed by Superintendent Michel St-Amant, Assistant Superintendent Fariba Daragahi and School Principal Sylvie Forget

Parents are urged to continue monitoring their children’s health on a daily basis, but if families have not been contacted directly by Interior Health, they are not considered to be at risk

« We will continue to work closely with public health authorities and send you updates as appropriate, » the letter reads

« Again, please know that the health, safety and well-being of our students, families and employees remain our top priority If you have any questions or concerns regarding COVID-19, please call 811 » , indicates the letter

With so many people being asked to isolate themselves, questions arise about siblings and contacts of contacts

Medical Officer of Health Dr Kamran Godmohammadi said Interior Health is coordinating efforts to ensure that the risk of the spread of COVID-19 is minimized and that “when a person is exposed to a confirmed case of COVID-19, we consider this person as a contact and ask him to isolate himself 14 days « 

This is the first and only coronavirus outbreak in a BC school since school resumed in September, although dozens of school exposures have been reported, and can be found here

École de l’Anse-au-sable is not part of the central Okanagan public schools, but is part of the French-language school board of the province, also known as school district 93

Get a roundup of the most important and intriguing national stories delivered to your inbox every day of the week

Get a roundup of the most important and intriguing national stories delivered to your inbox every day of the week

BC Global News