B.C.’s top doctor says an ongoing coronavirus outbreak at the Cowichan Tribes that has claimed the lives of four people has been frustrating and tragic
“This is a very frustrating and ongoing outbreak that has been happening in this community. It has been tragic, particularly in young people,” Dr. Bonnie Henry, the provincial health officer, said during Tuesday’s live update.
Cowichan Tribes has been dealing with an outbreak of COVID since the first cases were detected in early January, prompting a stay-at-home order that remains in place.
Four people in the community have since died from the virus, with the most recent death being announced Monday. The ages of those who have died have not been disclosed, but two deaths were in “young people” according to the First Nation.
The ongoing outbreak also resulted in members of the community being subjected to racism online and on the streets, since positive cases of COVID-19 were identified in their community.
Adding to the ongoing challenge, Cowichan Tribes were expected to provide another 661 doses of the Pfizer vaccine this week but received word over the weekend vaccinations would not be taking place for an additional two weeks.
Henry said on Tuesday that provincial health officials are working closely with Cowichan Tribes, First Nations Health Authority, and Island Health around vaccinations and managing the crisis.
“So we have been working very closely with them around where immunization is best delivered, to whom, and how do we manage this the crisis that it is and there have been many things going to support the Cowichan community and we will continue to do that,” she said.
Cowichan Tribes is located in Quw’utsun Territory in Duncan.
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Nicholas Pescod
