Image Credit: Michael Reeve Q101 Merritt

By Dylana Kneeshaw / Michael Reeve

COVID-19 EXPOSURE

Potential COVID-19 exposures identified at Barriere, Merritt Secondary Schools

Jan 11, 2021 | 10:01 AM

KAMLOOPS — Interior Health is reporting a potential COVID-19 exposure at a high school in Barriere last week.

IH says the potential exposure at Barriere Secondary School would have been January 4, 5 and 8.

The event is currently the only exposure incident within School District 73, while another has been identified in the Merritt area.

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School District 58 Nicola-Similkameen is informing parents that a positive case of COVID-19 has been confirmed among the community at Merritt Secondary School.

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“A member of the Merritt Secondary community has tested positive for COVID-19. They are self-isolating at home with support from local public health teams,” reads the release from Superintendent Steve McNiven. “We are supporting Interior Health Authority as they undertake contact tracing to determine if any other members of our Merritt Secondary community were in contact with the person who tested positive for COVID-19, and if any additional steps are required,” continues the release.

“Only the health authority can determine who is a close contact. If you are contacted by the Interior Health Authority, please follow their advice. If you are not contacted by the Interior Health Authority, it has been determined that your child is not at risk of developing COVID-19,” added McNiven.

The district will not be providing any more information on the positive case.

“The safety and well-being of our students, families, and staff remains our highest priority. Please be reassured that Merritt Secondary will continue to implement the strict protocols and procedures we have in place so that children can continue to attend school as safely as possible,” said McNiven.

This is the first confirmed case in a school community in the Merritt area. There was a case confirmed in a school district employee last year however that individual did not interact with students.

For a full list of school exposures within the Interior Health Authority, click here.