UPDATE: Two more cases have been confirmed by Island Health at Duncan Christian School on Jan. 13, with the same dates for potential exposure — Jan. 6-8 — as the previously announced cases.
More COVID-19 exposures have been detected in the Cowichan Valley, including at three schools in the Duncan area.
Letters were sent out and posted on the Facebook pages of Cowichan Secondary School, Duncan Christian School and Quamichan School on the night of Sunday, Jan. 10 notifying members of the school communities that someone from the school tested positive for the illness in the previous week.
Potential exposure at Cowichan Secondary occurred on Jan. 5, 6 and 7, at Duncan Christian on Jan. 6, 7 and 8, and at Quamichan School on Jan. 5, the letters advised. Island Health has completed contact tracing to identify staff and students who need to self-isolate or self-monitor for symptoms. Staff and students who need to self-isolate for 14 days have received phone calls, and letters have been sent out to those who need to self-monitor. Staff and students who are asked to self monitor may continue to attend school.
A similar letter was posted to the Cowichan Tribes Facebook page advising of possible exposure on a Cowichan Tribes bus between Jan. 3 and 7.
A similar situation unfolded at Chemainus Secondary School, where possible exposure was reported on Monday, Jan. 4.
Cowichan Tribes members are under a shelter in place order from Jan. 6 to Jan. 22. Cases have also been reported recently at the Duncan Superstore and a long-term care facility in the Cowichan Valley.
For more coverage of COVID-19 in Cowichan, see pages 1, 11, 24 and 26 of this edition.
