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COVID-19 confirmed at Vernon high school

Interior Health reports case at Fulton Secondary

A positive case of COVID-19 has been confirmed in a Vernon high school.

Interior Health reported the potential exposure to staff and students at Clarence Fulton Secondary School in a statement issued Friday, Oct. 9.

The health agency said exposure took place between Oct. 5-8, and those who may have been exposures are urged to watch closely for signs of symptoms.

The individual who tested positive for the novel coronavirus is self-isolating at home. To protect the individual’s privacy, Interior Health won’t release further details.

Meanwhile, IH is performing contract tracing.

“Only the healthy authority can determine who is a close contact,” Vernon School District superintendent Joe Rogers said.

Friday’s confirmed case is the first COVID-19 exposure within the Vernon School District for the 2020-21 school year.

“Students should continue to come to school while contact tracing is underway,” Rogers said.

“If you are not contacted by Interior Health Authority, it has been determined that your child was not considered exposed to this COVID-19 case.”

Fulton staff and students were warned in March, at the beginning of the pandemic, they may have been exposed to an individual who tested positive for COVID-19.

Between January and September, only 27 confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been reported in the Vernon area, which includes Coldstream, Lumby and Cherryville.

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