Ongoing contact tracing for COVID-19 in the Northern Health region has confirmed a total of 13 cases at this time on Haida Gwaii. All are local residents; 12 of the cases are considered active, and one has recovered.
All of the cases are epidemiologically linked; while the initial sources of transmission are still being investigated, it is believed that all cases are either residents who had recently travelled off-island or had exposure to other residents who had recently travelled off-island.
All of the active cases are self-isolating at home, and clear processes are in place for identifying and informing close contacts, so they can take appropriate precautions. There is no evidence at this time of wider community transmission of COVID-19 on Haida Gwaii.
At this time there are no impacts on acute care services at hospitals on Haida Gwaii.
Northern Health and the First Nations Health Authority are working with Council of Haida Nation and municipal governments on Haida Gwaii to coordinate community responses and medical supports, which includes providing housing options for self-isolation near communities with higher levels of care.
These coordination efforts are 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.
Close contacts of any confirmed cases will be informed by public health officials, and supported in actions they should take, such as self-monitoring or self-isolating. It’s very important that if you are experiencing potential COVID-19 symptoms that you self-isolate, and contact your primary care provider or the NH COVID-19 Online Clinic & Info Line (1-844-645-7811).
Everyone’s priority should be to bend the curve on Haida Gwaii, with a focus on preventing spread to more vulnerable individuals by taking proper precautions.
Be Safe:
- Stay home and get tested if you are sick.
- Maintain physical distancing of greater than two metres.
- 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.
If you have family or friends at risk of severe disease, you should be very careful about attending social gatherings.