Head of school Mark Turner said Island Health has already anyone deemed to be a close contact of the infected person. “All other students and staff can be reassured that they are not required to self-isolate,” Turner said. “However, everyone should continue monitoring for symptoms, in keeping with our existing expectations.” There is no risk to anyone at the Richmond Road campus, where the middle and senior schools are located, he said. Island Health is responsible for contact tracing, Turner said. “As you would expect, we will be redoubling our efforts to sanitize, physically distance and be rigorous in the enforcement of our mask policies. It remains our priority to keep all students and staff as safe as possible.
Some anonymous online messages urged off-reserve employers to fire First Nations staff if they deal with the public. One woman said a dental appointment was postponed when the office learned she lived on the reserve. Cowichan Tribes has issued a shelter in place order in effect until Jan. 22. Other restrictions include limiting events and putting up barriers regulating access to the reserve. As of Monday, there were 70 confirmed cases, with six classified as recovered, Cowichan Tribes Coun. Stephanie Atleo said in an interview. Some Cowichan Tribes members have faced discrimination when they go out for essentials or are doing their daily business, she said. “Being a member of council, I get those messages so I’m aware that it’s happening.”
Monday classes were cancelled at Drinkwater Elementary in the Cowichan Valley School District after smoke from a suspicious fire on the exterior of the building got inside the structure. The . . .