Island Health says travel is a big reason behind a surge in cases over the last few weeks in the health authority, with many causes causing secondary and tertiary infections. (The Canadian Press)

By Alex Rawnsley

CONTACT TRACING

Travel, family clusters identified as key source of recent COVID-19 surge across mid-Island

Nov 30, 2020 | 5:31 AM

NANAIMO — After a recent surge in cases across the mid-Island including an outbreak at NRGH and multiple school clusters, Island Health is doubling down on the basics.

An open letter distributed earlier in November by the health authority’s medical health officers said primary infections aren’t the only issue they’re dealing with, as those people often lead to secondary and tertiary cases.

Dr. Sandra Allison, central Island medical health officer, told NanaimoNewsNOW travel remains a significant theme during contact tracing efforts.

“There are travel related cases but those cases eventually infected people in their small circles and those circles touched other circles…so we ended up having large social clustering of cases and that lead to signficant exposures and number of cases.”

From the start of September through to the first week in November, 86 cases or 65 per cent of new cases within Island Health came from travel.

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Those cases passed the virus onto 11 others who in turn infected four more.

“When we have cases, we identify their most likely source (of infection),” Dr. Allison said. “As the investigators continue, we’re able to identify a named source…a couple of times and that’s how we identify clusters.”

Public health aims to reach out to those who test positive within 24 hours of being alerted, however admits it can be difficult during periods of high case volume.

People who test positive are told to stay home, isolate and await a call from public health with more information.

Island Health maintains there is no uncontrolled spread occurring through the region, with contact tracers able to eventually identify a source in most cases.

The recently concluded outbreak at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital, along with clusters and exposures at six mid-Island schools punctured a protective bubble which had left the Island Health region relatively unscathed from the virus.

Dr. Allison said people tended to sit up and take notice once case counts rose in the mid-Island.

“There is a bit of a change of tone in the community where people are paying attention a little bit more. When these cases start happening in settings closer and closer to us like schools or workplaces, it does make people pay attention.”

Public health officials have also dealt with an increasing amount of misinformation throughout the second wave, along with more apathy surrounding best practices and public health orders.

A recent mass gathering in Coombs with around 150 people highlighted could result in a spike in cases with the incubation period of the virus elapsing over the weekend.

“Misinformation can lead to harm and when I hear about gatherings like the one in Coombs, I would recommend people before they engage in that activity, they have a full reflection on how that activity might backsplash onto them and their family.”

Allison said any cases stemming from the Coombs event could arise in the coming days.

alex.rawnsley@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @alexrawnsley