Two people at Merritt school have recently tested positive for COVID-19

Photo: Contributed

Another member of the Merritt secondary school community has tested positive for COVID-19. 

The exposure dates are Jan. 6 and Jan. 7, but the person is now self-isolating at home. 

A case was previously disclosed to the school community last weekend with an exposure date of Jan. 4.

Interior Health is conducting contact tracing to determine whether any other members of the school community came in contact with the person and if additional steps need to be taken. 

The health authority is in charge of determining who would be considered in close contact with the individual, and will reach out to those people specifically. 

Merritt Secondary encourages cooperation and urges those contacted to follow the advice of Interior Health. Anyone required to self-isolate will be told to do so by health officials.

Further details regarding the individual will not be disclosed for privacy sake. 

School District 58 Supt. Stephen McNiven says the school will continue to deep clean and communicate as the pandemic continues. 

“The safety and well being of our students, families and staff remains our highest priority. Please be reassured that our schools will continue to implement the strict protocols and procedures we have in place so that children can continue to attend school as safety as possible,” McNiven says in a press release.

“We continue to have close and regular contact with Interior Health around any cases, contacts or transmissions.” 

McNiven also says students should continue attending school while contract tracing continues, but to check children for illness daily.