A road block when entering Snuneymuxw First Nation remains in place as COVID-19 cases continue to climb. (Ian Holmes/NanaimonewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

MORE CASES

Three additional COVID-19 cases in Snuneymuxw First Nation, vaccination program to begin

Jan 5, 2021 | 9:29 PM

NANAIMO — A cluster of cases in Snuneymuxw First Nation continues to grow.

According to an open letter to local residents published Tuesday, Jan. 5 from Chief Mike Wyse, three additional cases were confirmed recently, taking the total number of active cases discovered to 19.

“Transmission is still happening in our community. Continue to stay home, significantly reduce your interactions with people outside of your household and decrease movement within the community,” Wyse’s letter said.

The First Nation will begin vaccinating residents Jan. 6 and 7 at a pop-up clinic after receiving doses of the recently approved Moderna vaccine from the province.

Wyse said they will focus on seniors and at-risk people in the first round of immunizations.

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“We are prioritizing Snuneymuxw Elders in the cluster who live on-reserve to have the opportunity to receive the vaccine first.”

First line workers will be next on the priority list followed by all local residents in a first come, first serve basis.

A shelter in place order was issued on Jan. 1 after the cluster of cases was discovered on Dec. 30.

A road block remains in place to limit non-essential travel in and out of the First Nation.

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