A community COVID-19 outbreak at a dance studio in the Fraser Valley has led to letters being sent to 11 local schools.

Fraser Health announced on November 2 that an outbreak was declared at the Capella Dance Academy (Unit 3 and 4 at 7949 Venture Place) in Chilliwack.

At the time of the announcement, 26 individuals had tested positive. Global News reported today that the number of cases is now up to 30 people.

All cases and close contacts have been instructed to self-isolate.

The dance school voluntarily closed on October 28. Fraser Health is inspecting the location and will work with the dance studio to bolster its health measures.

Fraser Health is also working with the Chilliwack and Fraser-Cascades school districts to inform staff and students of any potential exposures.

In Chilliwack, early notification letters about the outbreak were sent on November 1 to the following 10 schools in Chilliwack and one school in Hope:

• A.D. Rundle Middle;
• Chilliwack Middle;
• Chilliwack Secondary;
• G.W. Graham Secondary;
• Little Mountain Academy;
• Rosedale Traditional;
• Sardis Secondary;
• Unsworth Elementary;
• Vedder Elementary;
• Vedder Middle;
• Hope Secondary in Hope. 

The dance studio has been in operation for 21 years and offers dance lessons for students from age 3 to 15 and over. Classes range from jazz and tap to hip-hop, lyrical, and contemporary to musical theatre and acrobatic dance.