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Burnaby child care closes over fears staffer sick with coronavirus

A Burnaby daycare has closed its doors for 14 days because of concerns one of its workers has become sick with coronavirus. Fraser Health, after checking with the B.C.
Daycare

A Burnaby daycare has closed its doors for 14 days because of concerns one of its workers has become sick with coronavirus.

Fraser Health, after checking with the B.C. Centre for Disease Control, told to The Grove Childcare at Forest Grove Elementary School that the staff member was presenting cold-like symptoms and would not be tested.

“As a precaution, The Grove Childcare’s board of directors and myself held a vote and decided that we would remain closed to provide assurance that our children would be safe,” wrote manager Jennifer Tanguay in a letter to parents Thursday.

The staff member in question had been at a small wedding on March 12 and returned to work at the daycare on Monday, according to the letter.

On Wednesday evening, the daycare got a call from the staff member saying they weren’t feeling well and that they had possibly been exposed to someone suspected of having COVID-19.

Daycare officials contacted the school district, which sanitized the room by Thursday morning, according to Tanguay’s letter.

The daycare also reached out to Fraser Health who contacted the B.C. Centre for Disease Control.

The message from BCCDC was that the worker had cold symptoms and would not be tested.

The daycare decided to close for 14 days anyways as a precaution.

“We take the health and safety of our child-care children, their families and this community as a serious responsibility, especially in this crisis, and are confident that by taking these steps, we can keep everyone safe and healthy,” Tanguay wrote.

The board will meet again – online – on April 1, according to the letter.