Cortes Currents

Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Late yesterday afternoon, the BC Centre for Disease Control released more information about the spread of COVID 19 on Vancouver Island.

During the week ending on Saturday, Feb 27, there were 58 active cases in North Vancouver Island. 44 of these were in the Comox Valley, 13 in the Greater Campbell River Area and 1 in North Vancouver Island.

The worst outbreaks were to the south, in Central Vancouver Island.

This is the most up to date information, pertaining to Local Health Areas, released to the public.

The BCCDC also released a COVID update report for the week of February 14-20.

At that time there were 157 cases of the so called “UK variant”, B.1.1.7, and 23 cases of the South African variant B.1.351 in British Columbia. The report did not identify the infected communities.

Fewer elderly people are being admitted to hospitals, and the average age of admission is now 55 years.

There were no deaths for people 29 or younger and the average age for COVID related deaths was 80.

More up to date statistics from Island Health show that, as of yesterday, the number of active cases has dropped to 270. Sixty eight of these are in North Vancouver Island.

There are currently 16 Vancouver Island residents in hospitals and 1 in critical care.

Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Cermaq Canada has donated more than $2 million to the local economy since 2018.

Campbell River’s two other fish farm companies, MOWI Canada West and Grieg Seafood, also made substantial donations.

Linda Sams, Sustainable Development Director at Cermaq Canada

explained, “It is part of our culture and we have a shared value approach. Meaning that we are part of community’s and we believe we need to add value to the communities we operate in.”

Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Cermaq Canada has donated more than $2 million to the local economy since 2018.

Campbell River’s two other fish farm companies, MOWI Canada West and Grieg Seafood, also made substantial donations.

Linda Sams, Sustainable Development Director at Cermaq Canada

explained, “It is part of our culture and we have a shared value approach. Meaning that we are part of community’s and we believe we need to add value to the communities we operate in.”

Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Cermaq Canada has donated more than $2 million to the local economy since 2018.

Campbell River’s two other fish farm companies, MOWI Canada West and Grieg Seafood, also made substantial donations.

Linda Sams, Sustainable Development Director at Cermaq Canada

explained, “It is part of our culture and we have a shared value approach. Meaning that we are part of community’s and we believe we need to add value to the communities we operate in.”

Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The number of active COVID cases in North Vancouver Island has gone through an almost eightfold increase, in the past two weeks.

Island reported 10 cases on February 17th; There were 77 as of yesterday.

In her second weekly Emergency COVID operations update, yesterday,

Chair Jesse Ketler of the Comox Valley Regional District, noted that the state of emergency began a year ago.

“This has been a pivotal week in the Comox Valley and the province. Cases are on the rise in our community and this should concern us all. Meanwhile the province of BC has announced their vaccine roll-out plan, with vaccine calls opening on Monday March 8 for seniors who are over the age of 90 this year and indigenous people who are over the age of 65,” she said.

Seniors can start booking their appointments on Monday and the vaccinations start on March 15.

Campbell River city council gave the go-ahead for Island Health to turn the Community Centre downtown into the local COVID-19 vaccination facility.

Island Health will release statistics for the Local Health Areas where these cases were found, as of last Saturday, late tomorrow. Cortes radio will be able to broadcast them on Thursday.

At the time of Island Health’s last Local Health Area update, 82% of North Vancouver Island’s active cases were in the Comox Valley and the remainder (18%) in the Greater Campbell River Health area.

Though the dates of possible exposure all in February, there are now 9 North Vancouver Island schools listed on Island Health’s exposure page: Seven of these are in the Comox Valley Health Area and two in Great Campbell River.

Please continue to follow health measures

Chair Ketler closed this week’s update by saying “As the vaccine roll-out expands to more and more people in the coming weeks and months, we are asking everyone to please continue following the health measures. First, stay home if you are not feeling well. That means if you have a cough, fever or are showing flu like symptoms and please get tested. Island Health now offers an easy gargle test option. Only socialize with your household. There are no safe bubbles anymore. Please follow Provincial Health guidelines and avoid gathering with anyone who doesn’t live with you. When you are in the community, wear a mask. Wash your hands, sanitize them and remember – do not travel outside your community unless it is essential.”

Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The number of active COVID cases in North Vancouver Island has gone through an almost eightfold increase, in the past two weeks.

Island reported 10 cases on February 17th; There were 77 as of yesterday.

In her second weekly Emergency COVID operations update, yesterday,

Chair Jesse Ketler of the Comox Valley Regional District, noted that the state of emergency began a year ago.

“This has been a pivotal week in the Comox Valley and the province. Cases are on the rise in our community and this should concern us all. Meanwhile the province of BC has announced their vaccine roll-out plan, with vaccine calls opening on Monday March 8 for seniors who are over the age of 90 this year and indigenous people who are over the age of 65,” she said.

Seniors can start booking their appointments on Monday and the vaccinations start on March 15.

Campbell River city council gave the go-ahead for Island Health to turn the Community Centre downtown into the local COVID-19 vaccination facility.

Island Health will release statistics for the Local Health Areas where these cases were found, as of last Saturday, late tomorrow. Cortes radio will be able to broadcast them on Thursday.

At the time of Island Health’s last Local Health Area update, 82% of North Vancouver Island’s active cases were in the Comox Valley and the remainder (18%) in the Greater Campbell River Health area.

Though the dates of possible exposure all in February, there are now 9 North Vancouver Island schools listed on Island Health’s exposure page: Seven of these are in the Comox Valley Health Area and two in Great Campbell River.

Please continue to follow health measures

Chair Ketler closed this week’s update by saying “As the vaccine roll-out expands to more and more people in the coming weeks and months, we are asking everyone to please continue following the health measures. First, stay home if you are not feeling well. That means if you have a cough, fever or are showing flu like symptoms and please get tested. Island Health now offers an easy gargle test option. Only socialize with your household. There are no safe bubbles anymore. Please follow Provincial Health guidelines and avoid gathering with anyone who doesn’t live with you. When you are in the community, wear a mask. Wash your hands, sanitize them and remember – do not travel outside your community unless it is essential.”

Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The number of active COVID cases in North Vancouver Island has gone through an almost eightfold increase, in the past two weeks.

Island reported 10 cases on February 17th; There were 77 as of yesterday.

In her second weekly Emergency COVID operations update, yesterday,

Chair Jesse Ketler of the Comox Valley Regional District, noted that the state of emergency began a year ago.

“This has been a pivotal week in the Comox Valley and the province. Cases are on the rise in our community and this should concern us all. Meanwhile the province of BC has announced their vaccine roll-out plan, with vaccine calls opening on Monday March 8 for seniors who are over the age of 90 this year and indigenous people who are over the age of 65,” she said.

Seniors can start booking their appointments on Monday and the vaccinations start on March 15.

Campbell River city council gave the go-ahead for Island Health to turn the Community Centre downtown into the local COVID-19 vaccination facility.

Island Health will release statistics for the Local Health Areas where these cases were found, as of last Saturday, late tomorrow. Cortes radio will be able to broadcast them on Thursday.

At the time of Island Health’s last Local Health Area update, 82% of North Vancouver Island’s active cases were in the Comox Valley and the remainder (18%) in the Greater Campbell River Health area.

Though the dates of possible exposure all in February, there are now 9 North Vancouver Island schools listed on Island Health’s exposure page: Seven of these are in the Comox Valley Health Area and two in Great Campbell River.

Please continue to follow health measures

Chair Ketler closed this week’s update by saying “As the vaccine roll-out expands to more and more people in the coming weeks and months, we are asking everyone to please continue following the health measures. First, stay home if you are not feeling well. That means if you have a cough, fever or are showing flu like symptoms and please get tested. Island Health now offers an easy gargle test option. Only socialize with your household. There are no safe bubbles anymore. Please follow Provincial Health guidelines and avoid gathering with anyone who doesn’t live with you. When you are in the community, wear a mask. Wash your hands, sanitize them and remember – do not travel outside your community unless it is essential.”

Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents -

The City of Campbell River thanks the region’s three big fish farm companies for their donations to specialized recreation. 

Grieg Seafood has sponsored programs for adults and youth with disabilities for the past seven or eight years.

When Grieg said they were not sure they could donate as much in 2020, the city asked Cermaq Canada West and MOWI to also contribute.

“They agreed, but Cermaq decided they want to do more. So, they give a little bit more,” said Deb Simpson, a Specialized Recreation Programmer who normally operates out of the Campbell River Community Centre.

These corporate donations were all “under $2,000.”

The only other donation Simpson mentioned was “a healthy snack and drinks for our After School program for youth with disabilities or special needs” provided by Thrifty Foods.

Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents -

The City of Campbell River thanks the region’s three big fish farm companies for their donations to specialized recreation. 

Grieg Seafood has sponsored programs for adults and youth with disabilities for the past seven or eight years.

When Grieg said they were not sure they could donate as much in 2020, the city asked Cermaq Canada West and MOWI to also contribute.

“They agreed, but Cermaq decided they want to do more. So, they give a little bit more,” said Deb Simpson, a Specialized Recreation Programmer who normally operates out of the Campbell River Community Centre.

These corporate donations were all “under $2,000.”

The only other donation Simpson mentioned was “a healthy snack and drinks for our After School program for youth with disabilities or special needs” provided by Thrifty Foods.

Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents -

The City of Campbell River thanks the region’s three big fish farm companies for their donations to specialized recreation. 

Grieg Seafood has sponsored programs for adults and youth with disabilities for the past seven or eight years.

When Grieg said they were not sure they could donate as much in 2020, the city asked Cermaq Canada West and MOWI to also contribute.

“They agreed, but Cermaq decided they want to do more. So, they give a little bit more,” said Deb Simpson, a Specialized Recreation Programmer who normally operates out of the Campbell River Community Centre.

These corporate donations were all “under $2,000.”

The only other donation Simpson mentioned was “a healthy snack and drinks for our After School program for youth with disabilities or special needs” provided by Thrifty Foods.