Vancouver Island has recorded its first confirmed case of COVID-19 in more than six weeks, bringing the total to 131.
Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.’s provincial health officer, said she’s not surprised to see a new case on the Island, and that geographic isolation and lack of major outbreaks does not mean residents can be complacent.
“People travel and this virus is spread between people and we know that we cannot survive on this island without having people coming back and forth with, with our groceries with all kinds of things, even if it was only essential travel,” she said.
There have been 32 new confirmed cases in B.C. since Friday. A total of 2,822 people have tested positive. Of those, 2,471 have recovered and 169 have died. There are 182 known active cases, and 14 people are in hospital with COVID-19. One new death was reported on Monday.
There are outbreaks in six long-term care facilities and one acute-care facility — none on Vancouver Island — for a total of 369 residents and patients who have tested positive for the disease and 226 staff.
“We all have to continue to take measures to protect ourselves and our families and the Island’s newest case “is just another indication of that,” Henry said. She did not indicate where on the Island the case originated and the Health Ministry would not confirm where the individual lives.
On Friday, the Tsawout First Nation posted a notice on its website warning community members of possible exposure to the coronavirus after a person who tested positive for the disease visited the health centre on June 16 “for a short period of time.”
On the advice of the B.C. Centre of Disease Control, the First Nation has closed its administration building for two weeks until July 6.
Lois Williams, Tsawout First Nation’s health manager, said the risk of exposure is considered low. The notice said Island Health is investigating and contacting people who may have come into close, direct contact with the person.
People who were at the centre on June 16 are asked to monitor themselves for cough, fever, difficulty breathing or sore throat. People without symptoms are not required to self-isolate unless asked by public health officials to do so.
Henry anticipates Phase Three of the province’s restart plan will begin soon. The premier will provide information about that this week, she said. The next phase could include broader re-openings of hotels and resorts and more work in the film industry.
Henry was asked whether families will be able to visit loved ones in care homes soon.
There’s lots still to be arranged for safe visits but the short answer is “absolutely yes, I do believe we will be having visits in a controlled way in care homes in the coming weeks,” said Henry.
People planning to travel around the province this summer will still need to respect that while some tourism-dependent regions are eager to welcome visitors, others are still assessing “and they may not all be ready to welcome people this summer,” Henry said.
“Make sure you check ahead, what’s available, what is open. And as we know, some communities are not prepared this year because of the nature of their communities, and we need to be respectful of that as well.”
Be self-sufficient as possible — having groceries and supplies for example, said Henry. “This avoids putting additional burden on smaller communities.”
Henry said Ontario and Quebec rates are improving, while Alberta has had some large outbreaks.
“The risk really is everywhere and as we increase our travel even in the province, chances are we’re going to have more cases, we know that.” It’s why it’s fundamental to wash hands regularly, keep our social-group bubbles small, physically distance, wear a non-medical mask when distances can’t be maintained, and keep gatherings to a maximum of 50 and only if everyone can maintain two metres apart, she said.
There are no restrictions on people coming into B.C. from other provinces but there remain restrictions on international travel — only essential workers or family re-unification candidates.
“Anybody coming from outside of Canada, including the United States, whether they fly or drive, is subject to a federal quarantine order as well as a provincial order, and they must quarantine,” said Henry.
To date in the province there have been 954 cases of COVID-19 in Vancouver Coastal, 1,474 in Fraser Health, 131 in Island Health, 198 in Interior Health, and 65 in Northern Health.
On Sunday the World Health Organization reported the largest single-day increase in COVID-19 cases, at more than 183,000.
The agency said Brazil led the way with 54,771 cases and the U.S. next at 36,617.
In B.C., anyone who develops symptoms should self-isolate immediately and call 811 or Island Health’s testing centre at 1-844-901-8442. Information about symptoms can be found at healthlinkbc.ca
