Photo: Contributed

UPDATE 11:06 a.m.

School District 23 Superintendent Kevin Kaardal tells Castanet this is not the first time an entire class has been forced to quarantine.

"These are some of the safety layers depending on the nature of the exposure and the lesson that was occurring during the exposure. It is a normal part of the safety response to reduce the risk of the spread," Kaardal says.
 
Kaardal tells Castanet the entire classes at a number of schools have been forced to isolate, "this most often is the result from a single exposure. People being isolated is a precaution to reduce the risk of spread. All but the person who was positive are likely negative and our experience tells us they will remain so. If it is a whole class then the teacher will provide remote learning while a class is isolated."

Kaardal tells Castanet that the decision process and communication is entirely in the hands of Interior Health.

As for reports that a number of parents in the Okanagan are deciding to keep their children home as a precaution against catching COVID-19, Kaardal says attendance varies from day to day.

"Most days are well attended. Schools continue to be safe. Exposures are a result of activities in the community or within families. We all need to follow the directions of Dr. Bonnie Henry and get the numbers down in the community. That will reduce the number of exposures in schools."

ORIGINAL 9:09 a.m.

Interior Health has asked a full class at École Casorso Elementary School to self isolate after a potential COVID-19 exposure.

The impacted cohort is a grade 5/6 class.

"A confirmed case of COVID-19 has been identified," the letter states. "The individual was present at school on November 26th and 27th. Due to potential exposure and as a means to help mitigate any transmission, the Medical Health Officer has recommended that you must self-isolate until the end of the day on December 11, 2020."

This notice is in addition to an update on December 3 from SD 23 advising of four more exposure incidents at Kelowna schools.