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Opinion: 26 COVID cases in one dance studio. Good grief

We’ve been hearing more and more about clusters of COVID-19 cases stemming from weddings, funerals and other large gatherings. Many of these clusters have occurred in Fraser Health, which includes Burnaby, New Westminster and the Tri-Cities.
dance-class-kids-feet
Dance class. Photo: Getty Images

We’ve been hearing more and more about clusters of COVID-19 cases stemming from weddings, funerals and other large gatherings.

Many of these clusters have occurred in Fraser Health, which includes Burnaby, New Westminster and the Tri-Cities.

People keep asking how this can keep happening when health officials have issued so many warnings.

Now we have one of the more egregious cases that has been identified in Fraser Health.

It has declared a COVID-19 outbreak at Capella Dance Academy located at Unit #3 & Unit #4- 7949 VenturePlace in Chilliwack, after an individual at the dance academy tested positive for COVID-19.

To date, 26 individuals at the dance academy have tested positive for COVID-19.

Yes, you read that correctly – 26 cases, which could spread into more depending on if the dancers were attended school.

Good grief.

I know parents want their kids to take part in activities, but this is what can happen.

Capella Dance Academy voluntarily closed on October 28, 2020.

That’s nice of them.

What was included in Fraser Health’s news release was this carefully-worded statement.

“Fraser Health will inspect the site and we are continuing to work with the dance academy to strengthen their COVID-19 mitigation strategies,” said Fraser Health “We are also working with the Chilliwack and Fraser-Cascades school districts to ensure they are informed of any potential exposure and are working together to ensure the safety of staff and students. People are reminded to do their part to prevent COVID-19 transmission in the community by staying home when they are sick, practicing physical distancing, washing their hands frequently, and keeping their social circle small and consistent.”

And by working with the owners to “strengthen their COVID-19 mitigation strategies” read into that what you will. It’s a polite way of saying “please do better.”

Follow Chris Campbell on Twitter @shinebox44.