COVID-19 case reported within Penticton Indian Band, contact-tracing underway

The Penticton Indian Band Emergency Operations Centre says it was notified of a positive COVID-19 test result within the community on Saturday.

The band’s nursing team is in the early stages of contact-tracing, according to a bulletin posted on the PIB’s website.

“It has been strongly recommended that anyone who attended the wake and/or funeral of our Nation member in Oliver on September 10 and 11 self-isolate immediately, and self-monitor for symptoms such as fever, chills, cough, runny nose, shortness of breath, sore throat, fatigue,” the PIB says.

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Those affected are asked to contact PIB Health at 236-700-0674.

According to a notice posted to the Sn’pintktn Penticton Facebook page, PIB nurses will be available to provide COVID-19 screening and testing on Sept. 13 between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m.

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Testing will be done in a drive-thru format, the notice states.

Indigenous Services Canada is aware of 85 COVID-19 cases on First Nations reserves in British Columbia as of Sept. 10, according to the government of Canada website.

2:22 B.C. COVID-19 numbers hit record highs

As of July 31, the percentage of First Nations individuals living on-reserve and reporting positive for COVID-19 is one-quarter the rate of the general Canadian population.

Indigenous Services Canada says the COVID-19 case fatality rate for First Nations individuals living on-reserve is about one-fifth that of the fatality rate in the general Canadian population.

More than 80 per cent of those testing positive for COVID-19 have recovered.