More than a dozen Surrey schools report new possible COVID-19 exposures

SURREY (NEWS 1130) – COVID-19 exposures are continuing to hit schools hard in Surrey, with the district sending out notices to parents with kids at 16 different elementaries and secondaries.

The notices were issued on Tuesday. Secondary schools impacted are Lord Tweedsmuir, Princess Margaret, Frank Hurt, Panorama Ridge, Guildford Park, Johnston Heights, Sullivan Heights, Elgin Park, Enver Creek, and Cloverdale Learning Centre.

BC school #covid19 exposure event notices Nov 17/PM
tweet 1 – overview & all health authorities except Fraser
tweet 2 – Fraser Health notices#bcpoli #bced @NEWS1130 2/2 pic.twitter.com/GqcxNgqgxt

— LizaYuzda (@LizaYuzda) November 18, 2020

Bear Creek, Georges Vanier, Hyland, Green Timbers, Riverdale, and Newton are the elementary schools with new exposures.

We shared notifications with Cloverdale LC, Lord Tweedmuir, Green Timbers, Riverdale, Guilford Park, Johnston Heights, Newton, Sullivan Heights, Elgin Park, Bear Creek, Georges Vanier, Hyland, Princess Margaret, Panorama Ridge, Frank Hurt, Enver Creek. #sd36learn pic.twitter.com/bAIzLLuQ5V

— Surrey Schools (@Surrey_Schools) November 18, 2020

The new exposure notices in B.C.’s largest school district come amid a rising number of cases across the province, particularly in the Fraser Health region. The majority of the province’s COVID-19 cases have been reported in that region.

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The idea of schools closing early for winter break has also been raised, but Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry acknowledged there are a number of factors to consider.

Meanwhile, the BC Teachers’ Federation said earlier this week it expected to see more school closures as the virus continues to spread. That came after Fraser Health announced three schools shuttered due to staffing shortages. Surrey parents had said the forced closure of Cambridge Elementary seemed inevitable.