A COVID-19 variant has been detected at several Surrey schools.
École Woodward Hill Elementary School, Tamanawis Secondary School, and A.H.P. Matthew Elementary School had all previously been flagged for virus exposure.
On February 20, the school communities were notified that each school’s case had now tested positive for the UK (B.1.1.7) variant of the virus.
Surrey schools Superintendent Jordan Tinney tweeted photos of the letters on Saturday night, thanking Fraser Health for working with the school district.
Tinney also shared his appreciation for the staff, students, and communities at the affected schools.
Tonight we issue notices to 3 schools on exposures to COVID-19 Variant. Thank you to @Fraserhealth for working with us this weekend. To the staff, students, community of AHP Matthew, Tamanawis and Ecole Woodward Hill, thank you for all you do. #sd36learn @CityofSurrey #surreybc pic.twitter.com/X0bp8nH45r
— Jordan Tinney (@jordantinney) February 21, 2021
The exposures at École Woodward Hill occurred from February 3 to 5, and from February 8 to 12.
After conducting contact tracing, Fraser Health has directed two classes and more than 20 people from the elementary school to self-isolate and get tested for COVID-19.
The exposures at Tamanawis Secondary happened from January 26 to February 8, and at A.H.P. Matthew on January 26, 27, and 29.
Three people from Tamanawis and three from A.H.P. Matthew, all of whom were direct contacts of the infected individuals, have been instructed to isolate and get tested.
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As of February 18, there are 72 cases of COVID-19 variants in British Columbia.
Fifty-two are cases of the UK variant, and 20 are the South African (B.1.351) mutation. One case of the Nigerian variant (B.1.525) was previously detected in the province.
BC health officials reported 508 new COVID-19 cases on February 19, bringing the total the province has seen since the start of the pandemic to 75,835.