How are COVID-19 exposures trending in New West schools?

COVID-19 case numbers and notification times have shown some improvements in New Westminster schools over the past month – but the picture could change quickly.

That message was delivered to trustees at the April 13 school board operations committee meeting, when superintendent Karim Hachlaf gave his monthly overview of COVID notifications in district schools.

In the month between March 5 and April 8, the school district sent out 10 school notification letters about COVID exposures, down from 18 in the previous month. It also issued fewer “self-monitor” notifications, down from 17 to 11.

The report did not include notifications sent out after April 8, which means exposures reported this week at Richard McBride Elementary, Glenbrook Middle School and New Westminster Secondary School were not included.

 “We definitely recognize, after the Easter long weekend, we have seen an increase in exposure notifications,” Hachlaf said.

The past month saw an increase in self-isolation notices, with 11 having been sent (three to full classes and the rest to individuals) compared to six the month before.

“I think that trend is definitely being maintained for this coming month,” Hachlaf said, noting provincial data shows the variant strains of COVID have the capacity to transmit at a higher rate. “What happens in the community will get reflected ultimately in schools, and that trend has continued.”

SCHOOL STAFF VACCINATIONS STILL NOT CONFIRMED

One area of improvement for the district has been in the turnaround time between when exposures occur and when the district is notified and is thus able to notify school communities. Hachlaf said that, before the winter break, the delays in that process had been “significant.”

In some cases, it was taking 10 or more days for health officials to notify the district of exposures in schools. Hachlaf said Fraser Health has managed to turn that around, despite the continued volume of exposures in the region.

Now, he said, it takes an average of about three to five days between exposure and notification.

Hachlaf acknowledged the toll the pandemic has taken on those working in New Westminster’s schools.

He told trustees he doesn’t yet know when New Westminster school staff will be vaccinated, but he was looking for an update later this week or early next.

“I do appreciate the uncertainty, it causes a great deal of anxiety,” he said.

“For staff to be excited about the vaccines to close off the end of the year, ideally that will still happen in a timely manner. Time will tell.”

Follow Julie MacLellan on Twitter @juliemaclellan.
Email Julie, [email protected].