Low attendance has put an Armstrong school under investigation by Interior Health Authority.
Len Wood Middle School sent a letter to families Friday, Jan. 21 that an attendance threshold was met.
“Based on a review of attendance patterns, we’ve determined we have met a COVID-19 potential activity signal,” principal Denise Moore said.
A potential activity signal is a threshold based on school attendance. When met, Interior Health Authority investigates whether further actions are needed.
“Because people are absent for many reasons, we do not know if there is increased COVID-19 activity at our school,” Moore said.
The threshold for a public health investigation occurs when attendance rate are 10 per cent below average, according to IHA.
“This is often approximately 20-25 per cent absenteeism, but his may vary in smaller schools,” IH told Black Press Media.
Families will be alerted if additional action is taken.
In the meantime, students can continue to attend school if they are not ill. Daily health checks are urged.
There are several Kamloops schools that have reached the attendance threshold.
Kidston Elementary in Coldstream also reached a threshold last week.
Eagle River Secondary in Sicamous met the threshold Jan. 20.
COVID-19 cases are no longer being reported by the health authority, but the volunteer-run BC School Covid Tracker is keeping track of cases.
The tracker shows there was a potential COVID-19 exposure at Len Wood Jan. 17-19.
An exposure was reported at Lumby’s Charles Bloom Secondary took place Jan. 17-20.
Salmon Arm Secondary had a few exposures, one Jan. 18-19 at the Jackson campus, and two at Sullivan, Jan. 17-20 and another on Jan. 17.
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