A remote community off the coast of Vancouver Island has now been hit by the global pandemic.
The mayor of Alert Bay, a village on Cormorant Island located northeast of Vancouver Island, has tested positive for COVID-19.
According to a press release from Alert Bay, Mayor Dennis Buchanan was treated for the virus by a local medical team and is now resting at home.
Alert Bay is a remote village occupied by around 1,200 to 1,500 people, located on Cormorant Island, a four square km land mass found just south of Port McNeill.
In light of his diagnosis, Mayor Buchanan is advising all residents of Cormorant Island to “remain vigilant and follow all recommendations of BC’s provincial health officer”.
As of the time of publication, there are 1,490 cases of COVID-19 in British Columbia, 87 of which are in the Island Health region.
BREAKING: Daily #COVID19 update in B.C.:
– 45 new cases
– 1,490 total cases in B.C.
– 87 total – Island health region (3 since Sat.)
– 11 new deaths, death toll is 69 in BC
– 137 in hospital, 58 in critical care
– 905 people have recovered in total#yyj #bcpoli @victoriabuzzes— Brishti Basu (@brish_ti) April 13, 2020
See all the latest updates about the global COVID-19 pandemic on Vancouver Island
The BCCDC has set up a 2019 novel coronavirus telephone information line at 1-833-784-4397 for those who have further questions about this disease.
Anyone concerned that they may have been exposed to, or are experiencing symptoms of the novel coronavirus, should contact their primary care provider, local public health office, or call 8-1-1.
The Province has also created the 1-888-COVID-19 line to connect British Columbians needing non-medical information about the coronavirus pandemic.
As of the time of publication, the total number of COVID-19 patients worldwide has risen to 1,920,258.
Over 119,400 people have died from the illness and 443,786 have made a full recovery.
