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VCH confirms COVID-19 in ‘coastal rural communities’ as cases in Pemberton and Squamish surface

Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) has released a statement that “acknowledges cases of COVID-19 in coastal rural communities” but does not specify which communities are affected.
VCH COVID

Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) has released a statement that “acknowledges cases of COVID-19 in coastal rural communities” but does not specify which communities are affected.

The individuals who have tested positive for the virus, “along with their household members, are self-isolating at home and are recovering,” VCH said in the statement, released late Sunday.

The release follows media reports on the weekend of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Pemberton and Squamish.

VCH rural areas include the Sunshine Coast, Howe Sound, Squamish, Whistler, Pemberton, Powell River, Lund, Bella Bella, Bella Coola and several other smaller communities.

On Saturday, the Village of Pemberton confirmed that two people had tested positive for COVID-19 in Pemberton. Pique Newsmagazine reported that people who were inside the Pemberton & District Community Centre building on March 11 between 2:30 and 8 p.m. were being advised to monitor for symptoms.

On Sunday, the Squamish Chief newspaper reported that a Squamish resident had self-identified as having COVID-19 and has been in self-isolation since March 10.

According to the newspaper, the resident travelled outside of the region on March 6 and was exposed to someone with flu-like symptoms. The resident became symptomatic four days later, starting with fatigue and achiness, before developing a mild fever and cough.

On the Sunshine Coast, a newly formed task force of local doctors said on the weekend that there has been no community spread – transmission of the virus from an unknown source – on the Lower Sunshine Coast, “and no illness unrelated to travel.” But they did not explicitly state whether there have been any confirmed cases, citing provincial public health policy.

In its statement on Sunday, VCH refused to say how many cases have been detected in coastal communities.

“To protect patient confidentiality and because the situation is changing on a daily basis, we will not be sharing the number of people in the community who received a positive test result,” the statement said.

In those cases that have been detected, “VCH Public Health is investigating the sources of transmission and is following up with anyone who may have had close contact with these people.”

More information and daily updates are posted at www.VCH.ca/COVID19

 

VCH Graphic