Mom of B.C. boy who caught COVID-19 says it took days for classmates' families to be notified
A Surrey, B.C., woman whose 10-year-old son contracted COVID-19 says it took days for his classmates' families to be notified by public health.
Tracey Thomas told CTV News her son William Richardson, who has severe asthma, came home from Hillcrest Elementary School last Tuesday showing signs of COVID-19.
She had him tested on Wednesday, and on Thursday the results came back positive.
“I got it around 1 p.m. and I immediately called the school and I notified them, what grade he was in, what class he was in, and I was just hoping that would be enough time, the two hours before the end of the day to send something out," Thomas said.
However, she said the school never sent anything out. Later that night, she was contacted by Fraser Health and told a contact tracer would reach out in a few hours, but days passed by with no contact from anyone.
Thomas decided to notify other parents in a school Facebook page.
“There’s so much secrecy around this and it’s scary because I’ve got a child who has underlying health conditions," she said.
On Sunday, Thomas took William to the emergency room after his conditions worsened.
'It's freaky," she said. "He turns grey, he coughs, he can't catch his breath, his oxygen levels are off. You can see it in his face."
Thomas said on Tuesday, contact tracers finally reached out. She called the apparent delay in notifying families whose children would have been in direct contact with her son unacceptable.
"Contact tracing needs to be way more efficient," Thomas said.
Earlier this month, provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said B.C. would no longer issue school-wide letters when someone tested positive for the disease. Instead, just those who were exposed to the disease would be notified directly.
However, on Tuesday, Henry announced they’ll be reversing course.
“We hear from parents across the province, I hear from educators, and our teams have recognized that parents do need an authoritative source (to) have an understanding of what is happening at their children's school," she said.
Henry said her team is still working to develop its new system, but said it will be "less intrusive and more sustainable." Officials hope to have that in place by the weekend.
With files from CTV News Vancouver's Alyse Kotyk
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Police investigating shooting outside of Drake's Bridle Path mansion: source
Toronto police are investigating a shooting that took place outside of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion early Tuesday morning, a source tells CP24.
Canadian cadets rock mullets and place second at U.S. military competition
Sporting mullets, Canadian Armed Forces officer cadets placed second in an annual military skills competition in the U.S.
'It looked so legit': Ontario man pays $7,700 for luxury villa found on Booking.com, but the listing was fake
An Ontario man says he paid more than $7,700 for a luxury villa he found on a popular travel website -- but the listing was fake.
Your body needs these three forms of movement every week
Movement is movement, right? Not exactly. Here’s what your body is looking for in addition to your morning walk or yoga session, according to experts.
The Met Gala was in full bloom with Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Mindy Kaling among the standout stars
The Met Gala and its fashionista A-listers on Monday included Jennifer Lopez, Zendaya and a parade of others in a swirl of flora and fauna looks on a green-tinged carpet lined by live foliage.
Quebec to limit sperm donations per donor after 3 men from same family father hundreds of children
Quebec is looking at tightening the regulations around sperm donation in the province following the release of a documentary that revealed three men from the same family fathered hundreds of children.
There's actually no such thing as vegetables. Here's why you should eat them anyway
The rumours are true: Vegetables aren't real — that is, in botany, anyway. While the term fruit is recognized botanically as anything that contains a seed or seeds, vegetable is actually a broad umbrella term.
Noelia Voigt resigns as Miss USA, citing her mental health
Noelia Voigt, who was crowned Miss USA in November 2023, has announced she is resigning from her role, saying the decision is in the best interest of her mental health.
Highlights from the 2024 Met Gala exhibit: Sleeping Beauty would wake up for these gowns
Sure, she was a royal princess and all. But there’s no way Sleeping Beauty — either before or after her nap — ever had quite the fabulous wardrobe that’s been assembled at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.