Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry, who's forced to comment on discrimination she's seen against Indigenous communities during the pandemic. (flickr/Gov't of B.C.)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

covid-19 update

Dr. Henry combatting discrimination & racism against Island First Nations

Jan 14, 2021 | 3:42 PM

NANAIMO — Disparaging comments against Vancouver Island Indigenous bands are of great concern to B.C.’s provincial health officer.

Dr. Bonnie Henry addressed reports of racism and discrimination against Cowichan Tribes in recent days as an outbreak spreads in the large Indigenous community. An outbreak within Snuneymuxw First Nation near Nanaimo also continues.

“I’m very saddened and disturbed to hear reports of discrimination and racism that is counter to the kindness and compassion we expect and have seen from so many in British Columbia,” Dr. Henry said in her Thursday, Jan. 14 press conference.

Upwards of 90 COVID-19 cases were found within Cowichan Tribes and 21 in Snuneymuxw First Nation by Jan. 13.

“The health challenges which come with this virus are difficult enough without also having to face stigma and discrimination from those around us,” Dr. Henry said.

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She confirmed 536 new cases of COVID-19 within B.C., with 362 people in hospital and 74 receiving critical care. There were an additional seven fatalities.

Island Health data showed 16 new cases on Thursday.

A difference in reporting between Island Health and the BC CDC leads to a discrepancy in new cases. NanaimoNewsNOW reports on numbers directly from Island Health, which have been investigated and vetted.

There’s currently 189 active cases within Island Health, down by seven from the day before. The central Vancouver Island area continues to have roughly two thirds of the Island’s cases with 124.

Several new cases of the UK variant of COVID-19 were discovered in B.C.

Dr. Henry said all are in Vancouver Costal Health, linked to the first case in B.C. which was found the first case discovered in B.C. was within Island Health after someone with the variant arrived at the Nanaimo Airport.

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