Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced booster doses of COVID-19 vaccine for some high-risk groups including those in long term care. (BC Government)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

COVID CASES

COVID-19 test positive rate among central Island students high through return to school

Sep 28, 2021 | 1:26 PM

NANAIMO — Testing for COVID-19 has spiked upwards of five times among school-aged children since the return to class in September.

Data from public health showed an average of 100 school-aged children in B.C. were being tested daily over the late summer, with the rate in September at around 500 per day.

“We have very high testing rates in north and central Vancouver Island and we did see an increase, although that’s levelling off now, in the per cent positive in these school aged children who are not yet eligible for vaccination,” Dr Bonnie Henry, provincial health officer, told reporters on Tuesday, Sept. 28.

Henry added the increase in testing wasn’t unexpected and mirrors what occurred in September 2020. She also said in many cases, the increase in testing was related to the vaccination rates in particular communities.

Specific per cent positive rates for the central Island were unavailable, however Henry said children aged 5-11 years old ranged between five and 10 per cent test positive.

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Vaccination rates for second doses across the central Island sit around 80 per cent of eligible people aged 12+, marginally below the provincial total.

A graph of case rates among all school aged groups in various health authorities across the province, with a noticeable spike in September when students returned to class. (BC Government)

Despite the increase in apparent illnesses, Henry said there are many bugs going around right now and not all tests showed COVID.

“We are seeing colds and flus going through our school aged children, some of it is COVID and we do need to continue to test and continue to monitor and to keep children home if they’re not feeling well right now.”

She said no cases of influenza had been detected yet in the province, although parainfluenza was seen in test results.

The province currently has no plans to extend its mask mandate beyond the current grade 4 to 12, despite the Vancouver School Board voting unanimously to implement mandatory masks for K-3 students on Monday, Sept. 27.

“It is really important to remember that we still have many layers of protection in place in our schools and masking is one of those layers. We talked about…how important it is to monitor everyday, that daily symptom check.”

In a bid to better send information out to parents pertaining to COVID-19 school exposures, clusters or outbreaks, beginning Sept. 28, individual health authorities will post exposure notices on their website to make the information more accessible.

The province is also expanding its booster shot program to include seniors living in long-term care and assisted living facilities.

Beginning in early October, seniors will be eligible to receive a third dose provided it has been at least six months following their second dose.

“We know our seniors and elders have carried a heavy burden and we continue to see cases in these homes. We are going to do this in conjunction with providing them with protection against influenza.”

Immunization teams will administer both a booster COVID-19 vaccine dose, along with the seasonal influenza shot in the next couple of weeks.

The province is also implementing additional public health orders for the eastern portions of Fraser Health, encompassing communities such as Hope, Chilliwack, Abbotsford and Mission.

Beginning Tuesday, Sept. 28, indoor home gatherings are limited to five additional people or one household while outdoor gatherings are capped at 10 people unless all participants are fully vaccinated.

Similar restrictions of 10 people inside or 50 people outside exist for organized events.

The province is moving up its second phase of the BC Vaccine Passport program for the communities, which requires full vaccination to attend a majority of public indoor settings and organized events.

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