UPDATE: No new COVID-19 cases at Correlieu Secondary in Quesnel

Northern Health says there was an exposure at the high school on May 4th.

School District Superintendent Sue-Ellen Miller.

“We know that Northern Health will do all that contact tracing, they’ll be talking with whoever the individual is who tested positive and will identify other people.   So I think one of the most important messages is just to trust that they’re going to do the contact tracing, and they will let the District know if there are any additional cases, so at this time no additional cases.”

 A letter went home to parents at the school today.

It suggests that parents and students self monitor for signs of illness until May 19th at midnight.

Those symptoms include a cough, fever and chills, loss of taste or smell, shortness of breath, or nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.

Anyone with those symptoms is asked to take COVID test.

This is the first case reported at Correlieu since the pandemic began.

We asked Miller if she was surprised.

“I’m not really surprised.   I am really pleased because I think staff and students have done probably the best job they can in trying to follow the rules, and really focusing on wearing their mask in school and washing their hands in school, so things within the school have really been impressive in terms of following rules.”

Miller says it is especially impressive given that it can’t be any harder for any group than teenagers.

“This age group, who really need that socialization and like to connect with their friends, and I think they’ve done a relatively good job of keeping safe.”

Other exposures in the District since the pandemic began were reported at Voyageur, Bouchie Lake and Kersley elementary schools, Quesnel Junior School and at McNaughton Centre.