Fraser Health changes school notes over COVID

The Fraser Health authority is changing the way it notifies people in schools about their exposures to COVID-19.

Jordan Tinney, the superintendent of the Surrey School District, says in a tweet that "significant changes" start today for informing people in a class if they have or have not been exposed.

Tinney's notice says three different types of letters will be sent out depending on the exposure event.

Significant changes coming today to @Fraserhealth school exposure protocols. Now specifically informing people in a class whether they have been exposed or not exposed. Thx PVP's, @SurreyTeachers @CUPE728 for our meetings. #sd36learn @CityofSurrey pic.twitter.com/DCeqPUqyuv

— Jordan Tinney (@jordantinney) December 5, 2020

December 7th Video - New Health Protocols explained. What's new? Why the Change? What can you expect? Now notifying individual classes of exposures. https://t.co/vVLvIeij32 #sd36learn #surreybc @CityofSurrey

— Jordan Tinney (@jordantinney) December 7, 2020

In the first two exposures, the classes where a person with a positive case attended will be notified, while all others in the school will get a letter saying they were not exposed.

A third notification would be sent to the entire school if an infection is not attached to a specific class, such as if a vice-principal tested positive for COVID-19.

The Fraser Health region has been a hot spot for COVID-19 and the surging infection rates prompted tighter social restrictions there and in Vancouver Coastal Health last month, only to be expanded to the entire province days later.

The Fraser Health notice says contact tracing would still be taking place when the school letters are issued. When that process is completed, a school bulletin would be sent out.

The health authority has reported dozens of COVID-19 school exposure events and some closures caused either by outbreaks or lack of staff. Several school employees have been forced to self isolate because of potential virus exposures.