Surrey elementary school closed today over coronavirus concerns

After officials received word that a member of the school’s community tested positive for COVID-19, Coast Meridian Elementary school in Surrey has closed its doors today (Wednesday).

In a letter to parents, Surrey Superintendent Jordan Tinney writes that on Tuesday evening, “we received communication that a member of the Coast Meridian community has tested positive for COVID-19.”

He notes that at this time, however, “we have been unable to confirm [this] with the Health Authorities.”

Still, “in our current context, and exercising significant caution, we are closing Coast Meridian today and we are dispatching a deep cleaning team to the school to begin a full and thorough cleaning.”

• See also: 
  • West Vancouver independent school cancels classes over coronavirus concerns
  • Surrey secondary school issues coronavirus advisory
  • Surrey elementary school confirms connection to coronavirus case

The school closure announcement follows the closure of another school in the region today.

Yesterday evening, Notre Dame Regional Secondary School, a Catholic School in East Vancouver, announced that it was cancelling all its classes today – although it did not directly link the closure with coronavirus concerns.

Daily Hive has reached out to the Catholic Independent Schools Vancouver Archdiocese school board for more information.

On Monday, Collingwood School in West Vancouver announced the closure of both of its campuses and issued an early Spring Break following concerns that at least one individual with a connection to the school has contracted COVID-19.

Two schools also issued coronavirus advisories over the weekend.

In a letter, Sullivan Heights Secondary says the person identified “was asymptomatic during their time at the school; therefore, the risk to the school population is minimal.”

There is “no evidence that novel coronavirus is transmitted via asymptomatic individuals and the risk is low for the staff and students at Sullivan Heights.”

The letter comes at the same time that it was confirmed a person diagnosed with coronavirus was in the gym of Serpentine Heights Elementary school in Surrey over the weekend, as part of a community event.