The Cowichan Tribes has put a stay-at-home order in place for its members amid rising COVID-19 cases in the community.
There have been 23 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the Duncan-area First Nation since the first person tested positive on Jan. 1, and testing is ongoing.
More cases may be announced as test results come in, Chief William Seymour and council said in a letter to members. “This is a critical time for each of us to do our part to limit the spread of the virus and to remain calm and be kind to one another.”
The shelter-in-place order took effect at 5 p.m. Wednesday and extends until 5 p.m. on Jan. 22.
It requires all members to stay at home, restricts access to residential areas and buildings on the reserve, and requires members to travel through barriers and checkpoints where information is provided.
Residents are allowed to leave their homes for essential reasons, including work, school, medical appointments, obtaining groceries, medicines and other essential items, or to care for a family member who is ill.
The order comes after a similar order Sunday by the Snuneymuxw in the Nanaimo-Ladysmith region. Chief Mike Wyse said two more people tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday, bringing the total number of cases there to 21.
About 263 people were vaccinated with the Moderna vaccine on Wednesday as part of a rapid-response vaccination clinic on the Snuneymuxw reserve that continued on Thursday.
Cowichan Tribes also reminded community members that under provincial health orders, they cannot hold events or gather with people from outside their households. Individuals living alone can only have one or two other safe contacts.
Community members are being advised to appoint a household shopper and limit shopping trips to once a week or to have groceries, medications and other essential goods delivered to their homes.
