COVID-19 clusters announced at schools in Sooke, Comox; now 7 active clusters on Vancouver Island
Two more Vancouver Island schools have been added to the regional health authority's list of COVID-19 clusters.
Island Health has added École Poirier Elementary in Sooke and Brooklyn Elementary in Comox to the list, which already included five other Island schools dealing with clusters.
The health authority defines a "cluster" as "two or more confirmed cases within a 14-day period, with evidence of transmission occurring within the school and no other likely source of exposure."
That differs from the definition of an "outbreak," which is "multiple confirmed cases within a 14-day period, with evidence of ongoing transmission occurring within the school."
The outbreak definition also stipulates that Island Health’s medical health officer must determine that "exceptional measures are required to prevent further transmission of COVID-19."
Since the start of the school year, there have now been seven clusters on Vancouver Island, but no outbreaks have been declared. Other health authorities in the province - notably Fraser Health and Vancouver Coastal Health - have not published any public notices about clusters so far this year, though Fraser Health has declared outbreaks at two schools.
Earlier in the week, provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced that B.C. would be revamping its school exposure notification system, after facing criticism from parents and teachers for withholding information at the start of the year.
Last school year, parents received notifications whenever someone in a school community tested positive for COVID-19. That practice was discontinued ahead of the current school year, with Henry saying it had caused "anxiety" for parents.
It's unclear what the new system Henry announced will look like. The provincial health officer initially said updates would be announced later in the week, but that didn't happen. An announcement is now expected in the coming week.
The changes come as the number of COVID-19 infections among B.C. residents under age 10 surges.
With files from The Canadian Press
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A beautiful soul': Funeral held for baby boy killed in wrong-way crash on Highway 401
A funeral was held on Wednesday for a three-month-old boy who died after being involved in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby last week.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his head more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.
Blind Sask. boy heading to international braille competition hopes to increase accessibility for visually impaired
A Saskatchewan boy who qualified for an international braille competition in Los Angeles next month hopes he can inspire change in his home province.
'A step forward': New screening criteria for sperm donors takes effect
Canadians looking to grow their families with the assistance of sperm or egg donations should soon have more options for donors as the federal health agency does away with longstanding restrictions criticized as discriminatory.
Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Steve Albini, legendary producer for Nirvana, the Pixies and an alternative rock pioneer, dies at 61
Steve Albini, an alternative rock pioneer and legendary producer who shaped the musical landscape through his work with Nirvana, the Pixies, PJ Harvey and more, has died. He was 61.