Dr. Tanja Daws has told the Comox Valley Record that there is a positively identified case of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the Comox Valley.

“It hasn’t been confirmed on the wire or the news cycle yet, but it will be confirmed [soon],” she said. “What they will do is they will give increased numbers for Vancouver Island but they will not give location.”

Daws had expected the case to be reflected in the next provincial COVID-19 update with Health Minister Adrian Dix and Dr. Bonnie Henry, which was scheduled for 11 a.m. Monday (after press time).

At Saturday’s update, Henry said there remains only one confirmed case on Vancouver Island.

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“They may not be happy with me saying it’s in the Comox Valley, but we live in a community of 100,000 people… I do think by me saying the Comox Valley it would still be anonymous enough. But there are more confirmed cases on Vancouver Island, since what they [announced].”

Daws could not identify exactly where in the Comox Valley the confirmed case is, but did say the case did not come from her office. (She practises out of the Courtenay Medical Clinic at 788 Grant Ave.)

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“I actually don’t even know [which municipality]. All I know is that one person has been confirmed for the Valley.”

Daws posted an impassioned plea onto her Facebook page Sunday, which spread rapidly on social media.

Daws said she chose to post that, after seeing how nonchalant the community appears to be about the disease.

“I think as community members we are not doing great,” she said. “I was out on Saturday, to do some home visits on patients, to make sure they are safe and informed. And people are in the shops, at the movies, in the restaurants, and they are shopping like crazy. “They are not isolating at home.

“We have to close … all non-essential businesses. How many people have to get sick before we do it? The point is trying to prevent rapid spread, and not just containment. People have to do the right things now, to slow this infection down, so that we can contain, and help those who get sick.”

Daws said anyone who has symptoms should phone 811 and follow the directions given over the phone. She urges people not to call on medical clinics and doctors’ offices in person. Patients are welcome to make a telephone call for advice.

“All doctors’ offices will probably switch to teleconferencing over the next week or so, to help people online. We are all investigating avenues for teleconferencing with patients. We really want to keep our offices COVID- free so we can consult our other patients without [worry of] contamination.”

The Comox Valley Record has reached out to both the Ministry of Health and Island Health for comment.



terry.farrell@blackpress.ca

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CoronavirusVancouver Island Health Authority