The City of Parksville has released a COVID-19 update for the community.
During a briefing on Oct. 25, the provincial health officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, announced a substantial increase in COVID-19 cases in B.C. over the weekend.
The following announcement from the city is a reminder that everyone should remain diligent and continue to work together to stop the spread of COVID-19.
Vancouver Island did not report any new cases this past weekend, but currently has nine active cases in isolation since Oct. 26 (five in the central Island), and 59 are quarantined based on contact tracing.
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The local medical health officer, Dr. Michael Benusic, reports that contact tracing has limited the transfer of infections.
Although Vancouver Island case numbers are low, everyone must remain diligent to protect each other.
A new provincial health order now limits gatherings in private homes to no more than your immediate household members plus your “safe six” (six additional others). This order is necessary as transmission is now occurring within households more frequently. This order can be enforced by municipal bylaw and police officers. Clear violations of the order may be reported to the RCMP. City officials hope this will not be necessary and would like to remind residents that “the rules are in place to protect us all.”
For the coming winter months, Henry suggests everyone focus on their immediate family and consider having social connections with others in a safe way. This will be a challenge, but is something that needs to be done as a community so that everyone is able to get through the coming respiratory season and protect themselves and others in the best possible way.
READ MORE: B.C.’s COVID-19 case count jumps by 287, another senior home outbreak
There is now an expectation, not an order, that masks should be worn when in businesses, workplaces and indoor public spaces, especially around high-traffic areas. Because everyone cannot always keep a safe distance from each other, masks can provide an extra layer of protection. To be safe, everyone should feel comfortable wearing a mask at any time.
— NEWS Staff, submitted