Five schools in SD68 confirmed new COVID-19 cases on Thursday, with several upgraded to cluster sites. (File Photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

COVID-19 CLUSTERS

New COVID-19 exposures at five Nanaimo schools, multiple cluster sites

Feb 4, 2021 | 10:54 PM

NANAIMO — Island Health has confirmed more exposure events at five local schools.

A late-night tweet from School District 68 said new cases were confirmed at Bayview, Brechin and Rock City elementary schools, along with NDSS and the Learning Alternatives program at John Barsby secondary.

Exposure events range from Jan. 26 through Feb. 2. A school-specific list is at the bottom of this article.

The cases are on top of existing ones announced by the school district over the last four nights with exposure events also in late January and early February.

Island Health is undergoing contact tracing and those who came in close contact with the individuals affected are being notified.

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Rock City elementary, Bayview elementary and Snuneymuxw First Nation’s Qwam Qwum Stuwixwulh are currently listed as cluster sites by Island Health.

A cluster is defined by the health authority as “two or more confirmed cases within a 14-day period, with evidence of transmission occurring within the school.”

John Barsby secondary school is listed as an exposure after a previous event on Jan. 29.

Island Health’s school exposure list will be updated again Friday, Feb. 5 to reflect new cases confirmed on Thursday.

School specific exposure dates:
– Bayview elementary: Feb. 2
– Brechin elementary: Feb. 1
– Learning Alternatives (John Barsby): Jan. 28-29, Feb. 1
– NDSS: Feb. 1
– Rock City elementary: Jan. 26-28, Feb. 1

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