The toilet paper aisle at a Nanaimo grocery store is nearly bare as panic over COVID-19 forces people into stockpiling supplies. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Alex Rawnsley

CORONAVIRUS CONCERNS

‘Risk still remains very low in our communities:’ officials caution against Nanaimo coronavirus panic

Mar 6, 2020 | 7:15 AM

NANAIMO — In the wake of eight more confirmed cases of COVID-19 in B.C., provincial health officials are urging caution and measured reactions to a growing global health concern.

All the new cases in the province announced Thursday, Mar. 5 involve the Vancouver and Fraser Valley regions of B.C, with many expected by officials due to their close contact to already diagnosed patients.

Panic and misinformation around the virus spread through Nanaimo on Wednesday, Mar. 4 when one medical clinic closed unexpectedly.

Comments on social media fueled speculation around a possible COVID-19 case in Nanaimo, however the Office of the Provincial Health Officer confirmed to NanaimoNewsNOW on Thursday, Mar. 5 there were no new cases of COVID-19 in the Island Health region.

The office also said any new confirmations would be made “very quickly”.

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It was a message re-iterated by health minister Adrian Dix at a news conference on Thursday, Mar. 5.

“The 21 cases we have are the 21 cases that have tested positive in British Columbia,” health minister Adrian Dix said at a news conference on Thursday. “Our testing program continues and the purpose of our testing program…is to find positive cases so that we can contain more effectively the virus.”

The confirmation comes at a time where fear and hysteria about the virus’ spread has begun to impact day-to-day life.

Despite no confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Vancouver Island, many stores in the region have run low, or sold out of staple supplies such as toilet paper, hand sanitizer and face masks.

Dr. Bonnie Henry, provincial health officer reiterated at a media event on Wednesday, Mar. 4, the risks in B.C. are minimal thanks to the plans and procedures in place.

“Within British Columbia, the risk still remains very low in our communities here and in the province in general,” said Dr. Henry.

She added self-isolation and calling 8-1-1 is still the best course of action should anyone feel sick, particularly if they or someone they’ve been in contact with has recently travelled overseas.

“If it develops into a cough, fever, shortness of breath, things that are more related with COVID-19 or you know you’ve been in contact with somebody who has this, those are the people we want to ensure get tested,” Dr. Henry said.

Those who receive testing for the seasonal flu are also screened for COVID-19. The province is expected to update test numbers on Friday, Mar. 6.

Officials maintain washing hands and practicing good hygiene is the best defence against COVID-19.

alex.rawnsley@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @alexrawnsley