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.

B次元官网网址滻t hasnB次元官网网址檛 been confirmed on the wire or the news cycle yet, but it will be confirmed [soon],B次元官网网址� she said, adding she expects the case will be reflected in MondayB次元官网网址檚 update. B次元官网网址淲hat they will do is they will give increased numbers for Vancouver Island but they will not give location.B次元官网网址�

The next provincial COVID-19 update with Health Minister Adrian Dix and Dr. Bonnie Henry is scheduled for 11 a.m. Monday.

At SaturdayB次元官网网址檚 update, Henry said there remains only one confirmed case on Vancouver Island.

B次元官网网址淭hey may not be happy with me saying itB次元官网网址檚 in the Comox Valley, but we live in a community of 100,000 peopleB次元官网网址� 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].B次元官网网址�

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 practices out of the Courtenay Medical Clinic at 788 Grant Avenue.)

B次元官网网址淚 actually donB次元官网网址檛 even know [which municipality]. All I know is that one person has been confirmed for the Valley.B次元官网网址�

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.

B次元官网网址淚 think as community members we are not doing great,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚 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.

B次元官网网址淲e have to closeB次元官网网址� 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.B次元官网网址�

Daws said anyone who has symptoms should phone 8-1-1 and follow the directions given over the phone. She urges people not to call on medical clinics and doctorsB次元官网网址� offices in person. Patients are welcome to make a telephone call for advice.

B次元官网网址淎ll doctorsB次元官网网址� 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.B次元官网网址�

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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