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Parents and teachers are increasingly concerned about a perceived lack of communication about COVID cases in North Okanagan-Shuswap schools.
The BC School COVID Tracker Facebook group posted a message from a “concerned parent” regarding positive cases at a primary school in Shuswap and the “alarming” number of sick children at home.
The parent’s child attends elementary school in Sorrento, where they claim 91 of the 209 students were absent on Monday.
Interior Health reported potential exposure to COVID at school on September 22, 23, 24, 27, 28, and 29. The case was posted online, but the parent says no letters have been sent to parents about it.
School District 83 communications representative Alice Hucul said IH handles all notifications sent to parents, not the school district.
“Schools will ensure that students who need to isolate themselves can continue with their educational program. Together, schools and public health officials will determine if further action is needed, â€Hucul said.
“Parents, caregivers and families will be notified by public health if it is determined that your child is a close contact of a person who is HIV positive for COVID-19.”
The parent says he contacted IH about the number of out-of-school children, but the health authority has not confirmed whether there was a cluster epidemic.
“I was told that the percentage of sick children did not warrant a visit from the health authority, however, they would call the director. child at home or to go to school.
IH did not speak to specific cases, but said in an email: “Interior Health continues to prioritize schools for contact tracing and closely monitors transmission of COVID-19 in Interior Health schools.
“With increased vaccination rates and the precautions already in place for schools, eligible students and staff will benefit from strong protection against the virus.
“The most important thing for students and families to remember is that students who show symptoms of COVID-19 should stay home and get tested. “
Meanwhile, North-Okanagan Shuswap Teachers Association president Graham Gommes said poor communication between Interior Health and school staff, including teachers, has been a persistent problem since the start of the pandemic. .
Gommes said teachers were very concerned about the lack of information.
“We are not satisfied with the information released,” he told Castanet.
He added that teachers don’t find out about an exhibit until the list of exhibits on IH’s website has been updated, which he says isn’t immediate.
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