Courtenay Elementary is the latest school to join a growing list within the Comox Valley of schools with confirmed COVID-19 exposures.
On Monday (March 1), Island Health confirmed the exposure at the school at 1540 McPhee Ave., with exposure dates of Feb. 22, 23 and 24.
The exposure is the seventh at a Comox Valley school, with the previous one posted Sunday (Feb. 28) for Highland Secondary School in Comox. The exposure dates are Feb. 22 and Feb. 23.
Aspen Park Elementary on Bolt Avenue in Comox was added to the list on Saturday, Feb. 27, in connection with an exposure on Feb. 22.
RELATED: COVID-19 exposure at sixth Comox Valley school in past eight days
On Feb. 20, Courtenay schools George P. Vanier Secondary and Queneesh Elementary were listed, for possible exposures on Feb. 16-17 (Vanier) and Feb. 17 (Queneesh).
Glacier View Secondary Centre in Courtenay (Feb. 17-18 exposure dates), and École Au-cœur-de-l’île on Linshart Road in Comox (Feb. 16-17 exposure dates) were added to the list on Feb. 22.
A change.org petition entitled Close down SD71 schools - Protect your students! is requesting an immediate indefinite shutdown of all schools within the district until the exposures within the Comox Valley - or preferably Vancouver Island - are under control.
As of Monday (March 1) morning, the petition garnered nearly 500 signatures; it is directed to Tom Demeo, superintendent of the district, B.C.’s Minister of Education Jennifer Whiteside, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and School District 71.
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