Victoria, BC (WNews Breaking) – The start of school is delayed in B.C. for most students from K to 12 until January 10 as COVID19 cases spikes across the province.
There are 2,944 new COVID cases in B.C reported in the past 24 hours. That is a new record in BC. These are confirmed cases. Based on testing restrictions.
There are 66 people in ICU. 5 people have died of COVID since December 24. There have been 2,419 deaths due to COVID since January 2020. There are 16,014 active cases based on positive tests. This is the highest total recorded in BC.
Dr. Bonnie Henry says the best thing to do if you show symptoms is to stay home and isolate. If you are struggling to breathe, you should contact 911.
Henry says fully vaccinated, close contacts do not have to isolate but they need to monitor symptoms and should delay social gatherings.
Dr. Henry says if you are showing any symptoms you should not go visit loved ones in long-term care.
Health Minister Adrian Dix says 19,681 lab tests were completed yesterday. That makes the positivity rate 14.95%. The seven-day rolling positivity rate average is 14.94%.
On ‘true’ number of daily cases, Henry says the rate of testing is one of the surveillance tools that has been used all along. “All along the daily numbers are not reflecting everyone who has COVID.”
Schools Reopening Delayed to January 10, 2022
“We are not going to prevent this way but we need to use our layers to mitigate it. People will get ill not matter what we do.” – Dr. Bonnie Henry
There is going to be a phased restart for school. Schools will open for essential workers kids next week. All other kids will go to school starting January 10. This will allow for more measures.
Education Minister Jennifer Whiteside stated, “We know face-to-face learning is important for the development of students.”
There are going to be new measures coming. This will be allowed for more effective contact tracing.
Whiteside says the primary goal is to keep kids in person for the remainder of the year. Staff will be back at school next week. “The delayed start will give time to assess the impact of Omicron in community and in the education system.”
Whiteside says schools must reinforce rules around distancing. Enhanced measures will include a daily health check focus. There will be staggered times to cut down hallway congestion.
Whiteside says schools must reinforce rules around distancing. Enhanced measures will include a daily health check focus. There will be staggered times to cut down hallway congestion.
Schools will no longer have in-person assemblies and extracurricular sports will be paused. Staff meetings are to be virtual in schools.
Whiteside says millions of dollars have been invested in upgrading ventilation in schools. Districts have upgraded systems and some bought portable systems.
This is a Breaking News Story and will be updated as required.
