Release specifics on B.C. virus stats

I am sure everyone agrees that information is a valuable tool in any crisis, particularly a pandemic.

It is perplexing that British Columbia, unlike other jurisdictions, chooses to withhold the numbers of COVID-19 cases in specific towns and cities.

Ontario breaks down the statistics by city, town, gender and age. I fully understand and agree with the right to patient confidentiality.

No one wants to know names or any other pertinent identifying information about COVID patients. But, if 100 cases out of the 133 cases in the Vancouver Island Health Authority are in Victoria, we have a right to know that. The same should hold true for all regional health authorities.

The public should be informed where high clusters of cases exist so they can determine whether to avoid the area.

For example, if I lived in Brentwood Bay and I knew that 45 of 50 cases in the region were in Sidney, it would add another layer in making a measured decision concerning my health.

Information concerning COVID-19 should not be shrouded in secrecy.

Jay Jarman Victoria