COVID-19 cluster discovered at CFB Esquimalt

Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Esquimalt officials have told CHEK News that a small cluster of positive COVID-19 cases has been identified among its members.

The members who have tested positive are currently isolating, according to Lieutenant Michelle Scott, and affected base facilities are currently being sanitized in an effort to minimalize the risk of further transmission.

“We do not provide COVID-19 numbers at the local level – breakdowns by base/region, military trades, operations, or other variables – due to operational security and privacy concerns, however, we do communicate the number of national cases on our website,” notes Lt. Scott.

CFB Esquimalt says that when a member tests positive for COVID-19, the Base’s COVID response team works “to understand the internal risk and to ensure that health and safety remain paramount in their response.”

As part of the response, affected personnel are immediately put into isolation, aligning with the COVID-19 protocols in British Columbia.

In this instance, the Base has conducted contact tracing protocols connected with the members who have tested positive.

“Our priority is the health and safety of our civilian and military members of the Defence Team,” Lt. Scott adds.

The report comes as cases continue to surge in British Columbia and on Vancouver Island.

Health officials with Island Health announced on Thursday that 53 additionally COVID-19 cases had been reported, bringing the total of new cases over the last week to 336.

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