COVID-19 Alberni Valley Response

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Consultation has concluded

This page has been set up to provide you with local information on COVID-19. We will regularly update this page with any changes to City of Port Alberni (the City) and Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District (ACRD) operations which may affect Port Alberni and the surrounding Electoral Areas.

Here in the Alberni Valley, the City and ACRD use a combined approach to preparing for and responding to emergencies. Because the COVID-19 global emergency affects all citizens of the Alberni Valley, we have implemented a joint Alberni Valley COVID-19 Response Plan (the Plan).

As local governments, our main role is to help provide accurate and timely information to the public, as well as ensure we continue to provide essential services to the community we serve.

Please note that the BC Ministry of Health and the BC Centre for Disease Control should remain your primary source of information in the COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus) outbreak. Please visit their websites information on COVID-19, how to protect yourself, your family and your community and what to do if you suspect you have the virus.

As we progress through this global epidemic, we remind you to do your part by following the direction of public health officials, including limiting public gatherings, practicing physical/social distancing, staying home unless your work is considered to be essential to the public good and washing your hands regularly

Stay safe - stay calm - stay informed - stay connected

We are stronger together.


This page has been set up to provide you with local information on COVID-19. We will regularly update this page with any changes to City of Port Alberni (the City) and Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District (ACRD) operations which may affect Port Alberni and the surrounding Electoral Areas.

Here in the Alberni Valley, the City and ACRD use a combined approach to preparing for and responding to emergencies. Because the COVID-19 global emergency affects all citizens of the Alberni Valley, we have implemented a joint Alberni Valley COVID-19 Response Plan (the Plan).

As local governments, our main role is to help provide accurate and timely information to the public, as well as ensure we continue to provide essential services to the community we serve.

Please note that the BC Ministry of Health and the BC Centre for Disease Control should remain your primary source of information in the COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus) outbreak. Please visit their websites information on COVID-19, how to protect yourself, your family and your community and what to do if you suspect you have the virus.

As we progress through this global epidemic, we remind you to do your part by following the direction of public health officials, including limiting public gatherings, practicing physical/social distancing, staying home unless your work is considered to be essential to the public good and washing your hands regularly

Stay safe - stay calm - stay informed - stay connected

We are stronger together.


Consultation has concluded

Ask us your burning questions on the local COVID-19 response. 

We’ve reached our maximum number of questions for this afternoon’s 93.3 The Peak segment with Sharie Minions, Mayor of Port Alberni and representative for the Alberni Valley Electoral Area Directors, and Island Health’s Dr. Paul Hasselback.

If you still have a question you want to ask, please submit it and the Alberni Valley COVID-19 Response Team will respond in two business days. 


  • Share Is there. Any covid 19 in Port Alberni ? on Facebook Share Is there. Any covid 19 in Port Alberni ? on X (formerly Twitter) Share Is there. Any covid 19 in Port Alberni ? on Linkedin Email Is there. Any covid 19 in Port Alberni ? link

    Is there. Any covid 19 in Port Alberni ?

    joe asked over 6 years ago

    Individual information and/or location on positive cases continues to not be provided. Instead the direction has been to assume it has occurred in your community and act accordingly.

  • Share At what point in time will you answer the question, is there any Covid-19 cases in the Valley? It seems to me and a number of other residents that if there was COVID -19 cases in the valley the residents would react a lot differently towards it, why is it such a hidden area. on Facebook Share At what point in time will you answer the question, is there any Covid-19 cases in the Valley? It seems to me and a number of other residents that if there was COVID -19 cases in the valley the residents would react a lot differently towards it, why is it such a hidden area. on X (formerly Twitter) Share At what point in time will you answer the question, is there any Covid-19 cases in the Valley? It seems to me and a number of other residents that if there was COVID -19 cases in the valley the residents would react a lot differently towards it, why is it such a hidden area. on Linkedin Email At what point in time will you answer the question, is there any Covid-19 cases in the Valley? It seems to me and a number of other residents that if there was COVID -19 cases in the valley the residents would react a lot differently towards it, why is it such a hidden area. link

    At what point in time will you answer the question, is there any Covid-19 cases in the Valley? It seems to me and a number of other residents that if there was COVID -19 cases in the valley the residents would react a lot differently towards it, why is it such a hidden area.

    Dave NOble asked over 6 years ago

    Individual information and/or location on positive cases continues to not be provided. Instead the direction has been to assume it has occurred in your community and act accordingly. 

  • Share Dr Paul Hasselback. Thank you for your reaching out to answer our questions. Are we almost out of the regular flu season. I was told that there were 16 different flu strains and that it has been an exceptionally bad flu season. Is it difficult to tell the difference between the regular flu strains and the COVID-19 virus? on Facebook Share Dr Paul Hasselback. Thank you for your reaching out to answer our questions. Are we almost out of the regular flu season. I was told that there were 16 different flu strains and that it has been an exceptionally bad flu season. Is it difficult to tell the difference between the regular flu strains and the COVID-19 virus? on X (formerly Twitter) Share Dr Paul Hasselback. Thank you for your reaching out to answer our questions. Are we almost out of the regular flu season. I was told that there were 16 different flu strains and that it has been an exceptionally bad flu season. Is it difficult to tell the difference between the regular flu strains and the COVID-19 virus? on Linkedin Email Dr Paul Hasselback. Thank you for your reaching out to answer our questions. Are we almost out of the regular flu season. I was told that there were 16 different flu strains and that it has been an exceptionally bad flu season. Is it difficult to tell the difference between the regular flu strains and the COVID-19 virus? link

    Dr Paul Hasselback. Thank you for your reaching out to answer our questions. Are we almost out of the regular flu season. I was told that there were 16 different flu strains and that it has been an exceptionally bad flu season. Is it difficult to tell the difference between the regular flu strains and the COVID-19 virus?

    Penny Cote asked over 6 years ago


    Many have similar symptoms to mild forms of COVID-19. The difference with COVID-19 is the number of individuals that develop a severe respiratory syndrome that requires hospitalization and often intensive care. 

  • Share Will individuals who have taken the flu shot each year have any protection against this virus ,such as ,will their bodies have a stronger immunity even though this is a new virus on Facebook Share Will individuals who have taken the flu shot each year have any protection against this virus ,such as ,will their bodies have a stronger immunity even though this is a new virus on X (formerly Twitter) Share Will individuals who have taken the flu shot each year have any protection against this virus ,such as ,will their bodies have a stronger immunity even though this is a new virus on Linkedin Email Will individuals who have taken the flu shot each year have any protection against this virus ,such as ,will their bodies have a stronger immunity even though this is a new virus link

    Will individuals who have taken the flu shot each year have any protection against this virus ,such as ,will their bodies have a stronger immunity even though this is a new virus

    N asked over 6 years ago


    No answer to that at this point in time. Certainly the influenza vaccine would have no protection against COVID as they are different families of disease.

  • Share How many cases of positive testing do we have in Port ALBERNI. Are they hospitalized or in self isolation? on Facebook Share How many cases of positive testing do we have in Port ALBERNI. Are they hospitalized or in self isolation? on X (formerly Twitter) Share How many cases of positive testing do we have in Port ALBERNI. Are they hospitalized or in self isolation? on Linkedin Email How many cases of positive testing do we have in Port ALBERNI. Are they hospitalized or in self isolation? link

    How many cases of positive testing do we have in Port ALBERNI. Are they hospitalized or in self isolation?

    Linda Bowers asked over 6 years ago


    We will not be providing individual information on positive cases. Instead the direction has been to assume it has occurred in your community and act accordingly. 

  • Share Hello . With all the rumours going around town as to the number of cases we might have in Port Alberni, I was curious to know if there is any confirmed cases that you are aware of .. thank you on Facebook Share Hello . With all the rumours going around town as to the number of cases we might have in Port Alberni, I was curious to know if there is any confirmed cases that you are aware of .. thank you on X (formerly Twitter) Share Hello . With all the rumours going around town as to the number of cases we might have in Port Alberni, I was curious to know if there is any confirmed cases that you are aware of .. thank you on Linkedin Email Hello . With all the rumours going around town as to the number of cases we might have in Port Alberni, I was curious to know if there is any confirmed cases that you are aware of .. thank you link

    Hello . With all the rumours going around town as to the number of cases we might have in Port Alberni, I was curious to know if there is any confirmed cases that you are aware of .. thank you

    Chad asked over 6 years ago


    Dr. Hassleback - We will not be providing individual information on positive cases. Instead the direction has been to assume it has occurred in your community and act accordingly. 

  • Share Has there been any Covid-19 Symptoms or treatment identified in the Alberni Valley on Facebook Share Has there been any Covid-19 Symptoms or treatment identified in the Alberni Valley on X (formerly Twitter) Share Has there been any Covid-19 Symptoms or treatment identified in the Alberni Valley on Linkedin Email Has there been any Covid-19 Symptoms or treatment identified in the Alberni Valley link

    Has there been any Covid-19 Symptoms or treatment identified in the Alberni Valley

    Alf asked over 6 years ago


    Dr. Hassleback - We will not be providing individual information on positive cases. Instead the direction has been to assume it has occurred in your community and act accordingly. 

  • Share Are people who are diagnosed with COVID-19 being treated here in the West Coast General Hospital? I heard that they are being sent to Nanaimo for care. Does that mean our hospital is not prepared with staff and equipment? Why should they be sent to Nanaimo instead of receiving care here locally? on Facebook Share Are people who are diagnosed with COVID-19 being treated here in the West Coast General Hospital? I heard that they are being sent to Nanaimo for care. Does that mean our hospital is not prepared with staff and equipment? Why should they be sent to Nanaimo instead of receiving care here locally? on X (formerly Twitter) Share Are people who are diagnosed with COVID-19 being treated here in the West Coast General Hospital? I heard that they are being sent to Nanaimo for care. Does that mean our hospital is not prepared with staff and equipment? Why should they be sent to Nanaimo instead of receiving care here locally? on Linkedin Email Are people who are diagnosed with COVID-19 being treated here in the West Coast General Hospital? I heard that they are being sent to Nanaimo for care. Does that mean our hospital is not prepared with staff and equipment? Why should they be sent to Nanaimo instead of receiving care here locally? link

    Are people who are diagnosed with COVID-19 being treated here in the West Coast General Hospital? I heard that they are being sent to Nanaimo for care. Does that mean our hospital is not prepared with staff and equipment? Why should they be sent to Nanaimo instead of receiving care here locally?

    Joshua asked over 6 years ago


    Dr. Hassleback – Island Health preparation and planning for the response to COVID-19 is not specific to just one hospital or one community, it is a total island wide planning process and so West Coast General Hospital is just one component of the system of care that is required. The hospital system right across island actually has considerable bed capacity already prepared and able to receive individuals should we see an upsurge in disease activity. 

  • Share Is there any help for those at home dealing with mental stress? on Facebook Share Is there any help for those at home dealing with mental stress? on X (formerly Twitter) Share Is there any help for those at home dealing with mental stress? on Linkedin Email Is there any help for those at home dealing with mental stress? link

    Is there any help for those at home dealing with mental stress?

    Penny Cote asked over 6 years ago


    There are a variety of resources available at www2.gov.bc.ca  as well as support through 1-888-COVID19 (1-888-268-4319).

  • Share What are we doing to keep our valley safe in terms of visitors/tourists. For example, trades people coming to town for certain jobs or visitors vacationing at Sproat Lake? on Facebook Share What are we doing to keep our valley safe in terms of visitors/tourists. For example, trades people coming to town for certain jobs or visitors vacationing at Sproat Lake? on X (formerly Twitter) Share What are we doing to keep our valley safe in terms of visitors/tourists. For example, trades people coming to town for certain jobs or visitors vacationing at Sproat Lake? on Linkedin Email What are we doing to keep our valley safe in terms of visitors/tourists. For example, trades people coming to town for certain jobs or visitors vacationing at Sproat Lake? link

    What are we doing to keep our valley safe in terms of visitors/tourists. For example, trades people coming to town for certain jobs or visitors vacationing at Sproat Lake?

    over 6 years ago


    Mayor Minions – The City and ACRD’s approach is to be sure we are following provincial orders and            reminding others of the same. There is no enforceable order at moment but it has been recommended to avoid all non-essential travel. In regards to the trade’s populations, judging by recent visits to local construction sites, Managers seem to be very aware of social distancing and other recommendations for safety.