Greater Victoria Teachers' Association calls for return of COVID-19 safety protocols as clusters increase in schools
Concern is rising for kids in Vancouver Island elementary schools. As of Monday, there are 10 COVID-19 clusters at schools being reported by Island Health, a total that's doubled in just four days.
"We have a problem right now that is not being addressed,” said Winona Waldron, president of the Greater Victoria Teachers’ Association.
A cluster is defined as two or more cases within a 14-day period, with evidence of transmission occurring within the school.
There are currently three clusters in schools in the Mid-Island, while the South Island has seven.
The hardest hit school in Greater Victoria may be Sir James Douglas Elementary in Victoria.
The president of the Greater Victoria Teachers Association said last week that half the students at Sir James Douglas weren’t at the school as they were either at home sick, or at home as a precaution.
In B.C., kids under 12 are the demographic with the highest rate of new COVID-19 cases. The transmission is being fueled by the delta variant.
Waldron says now is the time to bring back cohorts, move towards hybrid learning and make masks mandatory for children from kindergarten to Grade 3.
"I believe things are going to be changed," said Waldron on Monday. "They are very necessary at this point."
Not everyone is calling for change, however, including this parent of a 5-year-old.
"I feel like my son's school is doing the best that they can do to keep the kids safe," she said.
Waldron’s concern isn’t only for students. She says she spoke with a teacher in the Greater Victoria School District on Monday who, despite being fully vaccinated, is now seriously ill with COVID-19.
"She's double vaccinated and has contracted COVID, she believes at work, and is deeply concerned about what that means," said Waldron.
The teacher who has requested that her school and identity stay anonymous told Waldron that she was following all COVID-19 safety protocols and is currently "very ill" at home, recovering.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NDP motion regarding Palestinian statehood passes after major Liberal alterations
A motion from the federal New Democrats initially calling on Canada to recognize the 'State of Palestine' passed amid widespread acrimony on Monday, after the Liberals drastically altered its wording to see the government simply work towards that aim as part of a two-state solution.
'He didn't want to die': Family of Calgary man killed in standoff speaks out
Family of a Calgary man killed after a 30-hour standoff with police last week are speaking out, sharing details of the tense and heart-wrenching experience.
Toronto family doctor who called patient's body 'perfect' suspended for 3 months: tribunal
A family doctor in Toronto has been suspended for three months after a disciplinary tribunal found that he failed to follow proper protocols while examining a patient's breasts and made inappropriate comments about her body.
Ohio mom who left toddler alone 10 days when she went on vacation pleads guilty to aggravated murder
An Ohio mother whose 16-month-old daughter died after being left home alone in a playpen for 10 days last summer while she went on vacation was sentenced Monday to life in prison with no chance of parole.
Retired teacher pleads guilty to paying for sex with 15-year-old in Collingwood, Ont.
In a Barrie courtroom on Monday, a retired high school teacher from the Niagara Region pleaded guilty to sexual touching and obtaining sexual services from a 15-year-old boy in Collingwood in 2021.
Hertz CEO out following electric car 'horror show'
The company, which announced in January it was selling 20,000 of the electric vehicles in its fleet, or about a third of the EVs it owned, is now replacing the CEO who helped build up that fleet, giving it the company’s fifth boss in just four years.
5 charged in Calgary kidnappings that targeted women
Calgary police have charged five men in a pair of kidnappings last year that targeted innocent victims.
Demand soars for solar eclipse glasses in Canada. Are they worth buying?
The demand for total solar eclipse glasses used to safely view the rare celestial event has been ramping up as sellers, along with astronomy and eye-care experts in Canada, warn that viewing the eclipse with the naked eye is dangerous.
Canadian commander of volunteer fighter group dies in Ukraine
A Canadian-born commander of the so-called Norman Brigade, a volunteer fighting group in Ukraine, has died.