Corona virus: Penticton shuts down Indian band services, buildings following rising COVID-19 cases – Okanagan

A day after announcing a stay at home following a surge in positive corona virus cases, the Penticton Indian Band has closed all its services and buildings for a period of two weeks.

The accommodation announcement was made on Sunday, January 31. The band said there have been nine confirmed positive tests for Kovit-19 from three cases since January 30.

Twenty-four hours later, PIB chairman Greg Gabriel said there were now 12 confirmed cases in the community.

The PIB says 123 people have been reported for self-isolation or self-monitoring due to COVID-19. Some are reserve members, some are reserve working persons or close friends.

“It was my hope that my address to the community would always be in the most positive and optimal circumstances,” Gabriel said in a YouTube video.

“Sadly, today’s address is meant to bring you up to date and clarify, I think to our community announcement released yesterday (Jan. 31).”

Announcing the closure of all services and its buildings for two weeks, the PIB said the announcement was “not a lockout, however, we urge everyone living in the PIB to stay home and move out only when necessary.”

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Jan. 30 to see announcement, Click here.

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To see the January 31 announcement, Click here.

To view the February 1 announcement, Click here.

“I want to be clear that the announcement we made was not an order,” Gabriel said in the video. “It’s about bringing to your attention the seriousness of what is before us and what is in our community now.

“I know many people have misunderstood the purpose of the announcement, and I want to clarify some of that.”

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Gabriel says the announcement is not an order to tell people to stay home.

“Obviously people have to go to work, kids have to go to school,” he said. “While this is serious, I want to reassure people that you have the ability to carry on with your daily lives.”

Gabriel added that PIP is doing its best to “control it and keep everyone safe. We ask that you cooperate with our Department of Health, our Emergency Committee and our Council and show your support.

“Be careful and limit your contact with others.

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“We’ll see in the next two weeks how things are progressing.

“We hope you do not have to come to that place, but I ask for your cooperation and your support.”

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