Delta has seen a huge increase in COVID-19 cases due to the rise of the Omicron variant.
According to the BC Centre for Disease Control’s (BCCDC) latest community map of cases, covering the period of Dec. 19 to 25, Delta had 433 cases. For the period of Dec. 12 to 18, Delta had 82 cases.
As far as case totals for a few of the neighbouring communities for the period of Dec. 19 to 25, Surrey had 1,155 cases, South Surrey/White Rock had 398 cases and Richmond had 431 cases.
The BCCDC has also released its cumulative case totals for the period of January 2020 to November 2021 which shows that Delta has had 5,640 cases, Surrey 42,451 cases, South Surrey/White Rock 3,792 cases and Richmond 5,054 cases.
When it comes to vaccination rates as of Dec. 20, 96 per cent of residents in Delta have received their first dose, 94 per cent their second dose and 16 per cent their third dose (booster).
As far as schools, as of Dec. 29th on the Fraser Health Authority website, there are 10 schools in Delta listed as having recent exposure cases.
The schools include: Cougar Canyon Elementary (Dec. 15, 16, 17), Delta Secondary (Dec. 15, 16, 17), Delview Secondary (Dec. 16, 17), English Bluff Elementary (Dec. 15, 16, 17), Gibson Elementary (Dec. 17), Jarvis Elementary (Dec. 15), Pebble Hill Elementary (Dec. 17), Sands Secondary (Dec. 20, 21, 22, 23), Seaquam Secondary (Dec. 15, 16, 17) and South Delta Secondary (Dec. 15, 16, 17).
Next week, there will be a phased approach to the start of B.C. schools in the new year.
Education Minister Jennifer Whiteside joined provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry in a press briefing Wednesday (Dec. 29) afternoon for the announcement of a phased restart for K-12 schools in B.C. over the coming weeks.
For children of essential workers and those with special needs, all schools will open on either Jan. 3 or 4. There will be a full return to classes for all students on Jan. 10.
“This will give us time to add additional protocols to reduce crowding and staggered times for recess,” said Henry. “It is those things that we did early on that we know can help reduce the potential for transmission within the settings.”
Additionally, school administrators will use the phased approach to address issues relating to safety, absenteeism and program continuity.
-with files from Glacier Media
