Two young adults who contracted COVID-19 have died in hospital over the weekend, according to the Cowichan Tribes.
“Knowing that we lost a few young people to this sickness is hitting hard,” said Cowichan Tribes councillor Stephanie Atleo.
Their names, genders and ages haven’t been released out of respect for their grieving families.
The only other COVID-19 death in Cowichan Tribes was an elder, a demographic known to be more seriously affected by the virus.
READ MORE: ‘It’s scary:’ Cowichan Tribes confirms first death from COVID-19 amid outbreak
“Statistically, it doesn’t usually happen to our young members,” Atleo said.
That’s why these new deaths are resonating in a new way in the many homes still under a shelter in place order, Atleo added.
Adrian Sylvester, a Cowichan Tribes member, said he was stunned to find out about the deaths.
“We’re having children affected, we’re having adults affected, anybody’s getting affected now,” said Sylvester. “It’s so hurtful when a young person passes away because they haven’t lived their whole life yet and done what they were born to achieve.”
Alteo is urging anyone with any symptoms, even if it’s mild, to get tested.
Next week, Cowichan Tribes is expecting to receive 600 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine that will allow them to administer second shots.
“It will be a relief for us that we will get that second dose and that we will have that further protection for those members,” said Atleo.
Skye Ryan
