COVID-19 in schools: 81 exposures in Metro Vancouver over last 2 weeks
As new COVID-19 cases continue to decline across B.C., exposures to the coronavirus in Metro Vancouver schools are becoming less frequent, but they're still happening.
Currently, 81 schools in the Lower Mainland are listed on the exposure websites maintained by Fraser Health and Vancouver Coastal Health.
That's a slight decrease from the number of active exposures in local schools at this time last week, but a significant drop from the number seen in mid-May.
Schools are added to the health authority lists when someone in the school community tests positive for COVID-19 and was at school during their infectious period. Letters are sent home to everyone in the school community notifying them of the exposure, and health officials reach out directly to those who were close contacts of the infected person.
A school remains on the list until 14 days after its most recent exposure date.
Sixty of the 81 schools on local lists as of Friday were in the Fraser Health region, while the remaining 21 were in Vancouver Coastal Health.
That's a decrease of 10 schools from the previous week in Fraser Health and a decrease of three in Vancouver Coastal.
The declining number of school exposures comes as B.C.'s active COVID-19 caseload and rolling seven-day average for new cases decline to levels not seen since October.
The province is set to enter Step 2 of its restart plan - which will allow for larger outdoor gatherings, recreational travel and later liquor service, among other things - next week.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
BREAKING Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
'Unacceptable': Trudeau reacts after AFN chief says headdress taken from plane cabin
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief said her headdress was taken from an airplane cabin this week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the incident 'unacceptable' and a 'mistake' on the part of Air Canada.
DEVELOPING Bird flu outbreaks: WHO weighs in on public health risk
The current overall public health risk posed by the H5N1 bird flu virus is low, the World Health Organization said on Friday, but urged countries to stay alert for cases of animal-to-human transmission.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
Regina police officer injured after being accidentally shot by fellow officer's gun
An investigation is underway after a Regina police officer was accidentally shot by a fellow officer’s gun during the search of a house early Friday morning.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
Island near Mull of Kintyre for sale for US$3.1 million
An idyllic 453-acre private island is up for sale off the west coast of Scotland and it comes with sandy beaches, puffins galore, seven houses, a pub, a helipad and a flock of black-faced sheep.