Vaccinations on the way for First Nation on Vancouver Island hit hard by COVID-19

Help is on the way for some of the most vulnerable members of a First Nation on Vancouver Islandreeling from a serious COVID-19 outbreak.

At least 70 members of the Cowichan Tribes, located between Victoria and Nanaimo, B.C., have tested positive for the virus and all 5,000 members have been ordered by chief and council to stay home until Jan. 22 to reduce further spread.

The nation has seen case numbers more than triple in under a week.

Doses of a vaccineare now expected to arrive on Cowichan Tribes territory Wednesday and members over 65 will receive their first shot as soon as possible, according to the Island Health Authority.

"Our pandemic response team and team of nurses have been ready and are ready," said Cowichan Tribes general managerDerek Thompson,speaking Tuesday on CBC's On The Island.

Priority list

Thompson said a priority list has already been created and now it's just a matter of doling out the doses.

Dr. Richard Stanwick, chief medical officer for Island Health, told On The Island host Gregor Craigiethat if the region was "awash in vaccines" then all members would get one nowbut,because ofthe resources available,vulnerable seniors are being prioritized.

Stanwick said the entire population of the Snuneymuxw First Nationwas recently vaccinated after also seeing a surge in cases and being ordered to shelter in place.

This, he said, was manageable because the Snuneymuxw First Nation is far smaller. The Nanaimo-based nation has fewer than 2,000 members, whereas the Cowichan Tribes, at 5,000 strong, is the largest First Nations band in British Columbia.

The spike in cases in the Cowichan region has sparked racism in the community that was recently condemned online byNorth Cowichan Mayor Al Siebring.

"This virus is no respector of persons or of 'race.'It does not discriminate. And neither should we," said Siebringin a Facebook post.

How to get tested

COVID-19 symptoms includecough, headache, fever, sore throat, shortness of breath, fatigue, runny nose, loss of appetite, chills, loss of sense of smell or taste, nausea and vomiting, exacerbation of chronic muscle aches, and diarrhea.

Members of the Cowichan Tribes who feel sick can be tested at the local COVID-19 assessment centre located at5151 Polkey Rd. inDuncan, B.C.Appointments can be made by calling1-844-901-8442.

Tribal leadership asks that no one carpool to the testing centre. The Ts'ewulhtun Health Centre, which manages public health and communicable disease control for Cowichan Tribes, is available to arrange rides as needed.