Parents concerned about growing number of exposure notices at École Mer et Monde

Public health has told families only those identified as being close contacts have to isolate — not family members, even if there are other unvaccinated children in the household.

Jessica Morine is taking the week off work to take care of her eight-year-old daughter who is isolating after being exposed to the virus in her after-school program at École Mer et Monde.

That exposure is one of eight notices sent out to parents since Sept. 24 and there’s growing concern about spread within the Halifax school.

“I think with eight (exposure notices) the risk is growing for people to get it, for children who are unvaccinated,” she said.

Morine said parents have been sharing their concerns in online groups, and tracking how many classes have been impacted so far.

“I think there was a Grade 3 class moved online for a week last week. There’s at least one Grade 4 class that’s online, a Grade 1 class, a Grade 6 class, a Grade 7 class,” she said.

Conseil Scolaire Acadien Provincial would not provide details on exactly how many classes have moved to online learning or how many students are self-isolating.

It said in a statement Wednesday that “as of today, school is open and the students who are in self-isolation are being supported by the school.”

Morine said the school itself and her daughter’s teacher have been great, but trying to individually support so many students who have been forced into isolation is not easy and the current situation is not sustainable.