Island Health officials warn of potential COVID-19 exposure at Courtenay restaurant

Island Health officials warn of potential COVID-19 exposure at Courtenay restaurant
Browns Socialhouse/Facebook
A view inside Browns Socialhouse in Courtenay , B.C.

Island Health officials are warning the public of possible exposure to COVID-19 at a restaurant in Courtenay.

Island Health says anyone who went to Browns Socialhouse at 1661 Cliffe Ave. in Courtenay on Nov. 3 between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. and Nov. 5 between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. to self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms. 

According to Island Health, even if you were at the restaurant during those times, it does not mean you will develop COVID-19. The exposure is believed to be low risk but is posted out of an abundance of caution.

Health officials say contact tracing has been completed for this COVID-19 exposure and anyone identified as a close contact has been instructed to self-isolate. A close contact exposure means face-to-face contact for an extended period of time with a person who is infectious.

If you have not been contacted by public health, then you did not have a high-risk exposure related to this case. No ongoing COVID-19 risk from this exposure has been identified.

Browns Socialhouse posted a message about the possible exposure on its Facebook page, saying that “based on the advanced COVID-19 prevention procedures Browns has implemented that there is minimal risk to any of our valued guests and internal associates.” However, they also reminded people who were at the restaurant at the listed times to self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms.

Anyone who develops any symptoms of COVID-19 is asked to seek testing and self-isolate. You can find information at islandhealth.ca/covid19.

The possible exposure alert comes two days after an outbreak was declared at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital following transmission on the transitional care unit.

Nanaimo has also seen two cluster events at two schools: Dover Bay Secondary and John Barsby Secondary.

Other areas of Vancouver Island have had possible exposures earlier in the year but they are no longer considered active if it is 14 days after the last exposure date.

Alexa HuffmanAlexa Huffman

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