Editor's note: This story was updated on Wednesday, Jan. 13 to reflect incorrect information posted by Fraser Health on Monday, when the story was first published.
Several Delta public schools have reported COVID-19 exposures to start 2021.
According to Fraser Health’s latest school update posted on its website Wednesday morning, North Delta's Devon Gardens Elementary had an exposure on Jan. 4, McClosky Elementary on Jan. 4 and 5 and North Delta Secondary on Jan. 4, 5, 6 and 7.
Delta Secondary in Ladner had an exposure on Jan. 4, 5, 6 and 7.
According to the Delta school district, who contacted the Optimist Wednesday morning, previous listings of Holly Elementary and Burnsview Secondary were incorrect.
"There are two Holly Elementary schools, one in Delta and one in Surrey. Holly Elementary in Delta has not had any exposures since the return to school on Jan. 4," said Delta school district communications manager Cathryn Tucker. "For Burnsview, Fraser Health asked us to send out an exposure letter for Jan. 4, but subsequently determined that the individual was not infectious while they were at school. We advised parents that Fraser Health had determined the letter was not required.
Meanwhile, B.C. Teachers Federation locals south of the Fraser recently issued a statement reiterating their call for safety improvements at schools in the Fraser Health region, including mandatory masks in all indoor school settings and a reduction in class size that would make physical distancing possible.
The teachers’ union also called on the province to share with families more detailed information on coronavirus exposures, clusters, and outbreaks.
Fraser Health last month changed the way it issues exposure notifications to schools.
Staff and families now receive one of three letters:
Early notification letter - exposed: These letters will be sent to classes where a positive case was in attendance during their infectious period.
Early notification letter - not exposed: These letters will be sent to all other classes not exposed at the school.
Where a case is not attached to a specific class or cohort, Fraser Health will send an early notification general letter.
-with files from Ian Jacques
