Northern Health’s Chief Medical Health Officer has declared an end to a community outbreak of COVID-19 on Haida Gwaii.
The outbreak was declared July 24th, and the last of a total of 26 outbreak-related cases was reported on August 6th. There have been no new cases since that date; there are no active cases, and public health officials are now confident there are no further chains of transmission of COVID-19 related to the outbreak.
Northern Health and the First Nations Health Authority have worked closely with Council of the Haida Nation and municipal governments on Haida Gwaii to ensure a coordinated community response, and that medical supports including housing options for self-isolation were available, if needed. This work has been guided by a collaborative framework that ensures people living in rural, remote and Indigenous communities in B.C. have access to critical health care to meet their unique needs.
NH is pleased to report that none of the 26 outbreak-related cases required hospitalization, or relocation for self-isolation needs.
While all of the outbreak-related cases and contacts have recovered and/or completed self-isolation, there may be other individuals self-isolating for a variety of reasons, such as being in compliance with Haida Gwaii State of Emergency requirements for anyone returning to Haida Gwaii.
Haida Gwaii residents are encouraged to continue to work together and support each other in preventing COVID-19 in their communities, by being safe, having safe gatherings, and being kind. NH also continues to encourage self-monitoring for symptoms of COVID-19, and self-isolate and testing in the event they develop.
Be Safe:
- Stay home as much as possible
- Get tested if you are have any COVID-19 symptoms or are feeling sick
- Maintain physical distancing
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
- Wear a mask when physical distancing cannot be maintained
Have Safe Gatherings:
- Fewer faces in bigger spaces. Limit your gatherings to small groups and hold them outside
- Keep gatherings to people you know and keep track of who attends, so we can contact them if someone gets infected. If you host a gathering, you are expected to have the names and contact information of those that attend
- Limiting gathering size in private residences to six people
Be Kind:
- Maintain the confidentiality of those who are sick or who are contacts
- Show support and caring to those who are sick or who are contacts