There are now three cases of COVID-19 linked to the Barriere Secondary School community.

In a Jan. 12 letter to parents, principal Angela Stott says both of the people affected are self-isolating at home with support from local public health teams. Contact tracing is underway, and Stott notes Interior Health will contact people who are believed to be close contacts.

“Students should continue to come to school while contact tracing is underway,” she said. “As a reminder, please continue daily health checks to monitor your child for illness.”

Stott’s letter comes two days after she first reported a single case of the virus linked to the school community. Interior Health says the potential exposure at the school would have been on all five days during the first week of class in the winter term, between Jan. 4 to Jan. 8.

Meanwhile, there has also been a case in a community member at Barriere Elementary School, with the exposure taking place on three days, Jan. 5, 7, and 8. In a letter to parents, principal Tiffany Hawkins says this person too is self isolating at home, and contact tracing is underway.

“To ensure personal privacy rights are maintained, we will not be providing additional details,” her letter said.

There are also two cases of COVID-19 linked to Merritt Secondary School and cases of the virus at South Kamloops Secondary and Arthur Hatton Elementary in the Tournament Capital.

People are being asked to call 811 if they have concerns or questions about COVID-19.