Risk of COVID-19 low in schools, Interior Health states – Castlegar News - Castlegar News

Medical Health Officer reassures parents as some children and staff head back to class June 1.

K-5 students will be able to attend two days a week while grades 6-12 will be scheduled one day a week.

But Interior Health reminds guardians that in B.C., less than one per cent of children and youth tested have been COVID-19 positive.

“Compared to adults, children are less likely to become infected with COVID-19, less likely to develop severe illness as a result of infection and less likely to transmit the infection to others,” medical health officer Silvina Mema said in a letter to parents.

“Additionally, COVID-19 activity in the Interior Health region has decreased significantly and there is currently very little evidence of community transmission.

As a result, Interior Health believes that the risk of COVID-19 in the school environment is low and that students and staff can safely return to in-class learning as per B.C.’s plan.”.

Meanwhile, everyone is asked to stay home when they are sick and if they have symptoms of COVID-19 they should be tested.

Those who test positive will be advised by public health to stay home for at least 10 days.

declared a public health emergency in early 2016