Reversing decision, Island Health to vaccinate Cowichan Tribes

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Serious injuries send 3 to hospital after Duke Point highway accident

A serious accident has closed the Duke Point highway for most of the day. Three people have been taken to hospital with serious injuries following a 3 vehicle collision. RCMP say a westbound van crossed over the centre line just after 7:30 this morning, and collided with an eastbound semi-tractor, causing the semi to go off the roadway. A female passenger in the van was ejected onto the roadway. Shortly after, a westbound pickup truck collided with the van. The pickup driver was seriously injured and was airlifted to a Victoria hospital. The female passenger and the semi-tractor driver were taken to Nanaimo Regional General Hospital with serious injuries. The driver of the van received only minor injuries but was also taken to the Nanaimo hospital. Police say all three vehicles were destroyed. They are asking any witnesses or those with dashcam footage, to come forward.

Last sailings out of Duke Point cancelled

Meanwhile, BC Ferries has cancelled the last sailing of the day out of Duke Point. The ferry corporation says bad weather has forced the cancellation of the 8:15 p.m. from Tsawassen and the 10:45 p.m. from Duke Point.

Tuesday COVID-19 update

COVID 19 case counts continue in double digits in the Island Health region. There are 17 new cases being reported today, bringing our active case count to 185. Province-wide, there were 446 new cases, and 9 more deaths.

Cowichan Tribe to receive vaccine

Island Health has decided to divert vaccine to some Cowichan Tribes members, in an attempt to control an outbreak that includes 70 cases of COVID-19. Island Health says it will administer vaccine to Cowichan Tribes members over the age of 65, starting tomorrow. The Tribes are currently under a shelter in place order, that asks residents to not leave their homes except for work, school, medical appointments or to get groceries or medications. Last week, members of the Snuneymuxw first nation received enough vaccine to innoculate 71% of its on-reserve population. At the time, Island Health's Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Richard Stanwick, said there were no plans to do the same for the Cowichan Tribes.

"At this point in time, we're sticking with the traditional model and have not entertained using vaccine as an intervention. Eventually, we hope we will be in a position to have sufficient vaccines and if it proves to be an effective measure, to use vaccine in community outbreak control."—Dr. Richard Stanwick.

Island Health has not responded to requests for comment about why it reversed its position and will now deliver vaccine to senior Cowichan Tribes members.