Low attendance at MSS following positive COVID-19 cases

This week School District 58 Nicola-Similkameen has confirmed two positive cases of COVID-19 at Merritt Secondary School.

The exposures were stated to have occurred last week on January 6 and 7.

The news of the positive cases led to several families and students skipping school on Wednesday.

“What we’re challenged with right now is we have a small number of students that have been directed to self-isolate through the Interior Health Authority,” said Assistant Superintendent Jameel Aziz. “We had a high number of student absences at Merritt Secondary School today (Wednesday). That either was because the students were uncomfortable, or their parents were uncomfortable.”

“We have to reassure our families that our schools are safe, they are sanitized, they are cleaned regularly. It is safe for our students to be at school, if it was not safe we certainly would not be bringing them to school,” added Aziz.

Superintendent Steve McNiven hinted that approximately 50% of the student body was absent yesterday. McNiven addressed alternative options for students and families not feeling safe in schools.

“We have hired pandemic support teachers. We would move students and families to consider distributed learning if they need a long-term solution as some of our students have. We believe that’s a good option for our students; however, we do want as many of our students back because we know that’s where we can meet their needs,” said McNiven.

– Written by Michael Reeve

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