Musqueam residents shelter in place, three COVID-19 cases identified on reserve
Posted January 10, 2021 6:58 pm.
Last Updated January 10, 2021 9:28 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — The COVID-19 case count has risen to three since members of the Musqueam Indian Band began sheltering in place last Thursday, and the Chief is hopeful the spread has been contained.
Chief Wayne Sparrow says the order to stay home unless essential will remain in place until there is “zero risk.”
As of Sunday, Sparrow says three people have tested positive, and another few close contacts are in self-isolation. More than 600 people live in the community.
“Until those [cases] are 100 per cent contained and over with, we’re trying to keep travel to a minimum. So, we ask for everybody to bunker down and not to be travelling if they don’t need to be,” he tells NEWS 1130, noting essential travel includes work, medical appointments, school, and grocery shopping. Non-residents are not allowed to visit homes on reserve, and external contractors or service people will also be denied entry.
The order to stay home will be extended beyond the initial seven days if needed.
“It’s in order until there’s zero risk to our community again,” Sparrow says.
Cooperation with the direction to stay home has been widespread, and Sparrow is hopeful the virus has been contained.
Chief and council have been in daily contact with the three people who have contracted the virus, as well as with their close contacts.
“Everybody that’s in quarantine or isolation, they’re not showing any symptoms,” he says. “So, that’s good news.”
Sparrow says no community is immune or invincible, and he credits both luck and band members for the fact that it’s taken the months of the pandemic for the virus to make it onto the reserve.
“I have to credit our band members for really listening to the provincial guidelines and doing the best they can to protect our Elders because we keep stressing it’s our elders that we’re trying to protect,” he says.
He notes security did not receive any reports of gatherings or parties on New Year’s Eve.
“Our community seems to be listening to what Dr. Henry’s been stressing.”
