Southern Vancouver Island First Nation warns of possible COVID-19 exposure

A First Nation community on Vancouver Island has issued a statement advising people of possible COVID-19 exposure at the reserve.

On Friday, June 19, Tsawout First Nation located near Saanichton issued a notice to community members stating that they have been advised that a person who tested positive for the virus was briefly present at the Tsawout Health Centre on June 16.

According to the notice, the individual in question “observed appropriate physical distancing and hand hygiene measures” when they were at the health centre.

The exposure is classified as “low risk”, and Vancouver Island Health Authority are investigating and reaching out to anyone who may have had close contact with the person.

See also: Vancouver Island Health region officially has zero active COVID-19 cases

“People who were at the Health Centre on that day, June 16, are being asked to monitor themselves on a daily basis for symptoms, as should everyone in the community during this COVID-19 pandemic,” reads the notice.

Those who do not have symptoms and were present at the facility are not required to self isolate as a result of this possible exposure, unless they are specifically asked by Island Health to do so.

As a result of the exposure, the Tsawout First Nation Administration Building has been closed for two weeks until July 6.

Since June 4, there have been no active COVID-19 cases in the Vancouver Island Health region.

Data from the Ministry of Health shows that southern Vancouver Island has had 43 cases, while there were 25 in central Vancouver Island, and 59 in the northern part of the island.

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.