Woman says she misjudged virus impact

SYDNEY – The COVID-19 virus has moved into First Nations communities in Cape Breton.

A friend of the two active coronavirus cases in Membertou has also tested positive for the virus and said she doesn't know where she and her friends contracted it.

Tiffany Johnson did a rapid test on Tuesday at Centre 200 after her close friend from Membertou tested positive. She said she got a call about 30 minutes later from Nova Scotia Public Health with her own positive results. She went back for a second test

and had her positive results confirmed the following day.

“I prepared myself for the worst because I figured I'd definitely have it if I'm with my friends every day and they were positive, so I put it in my head that I definitely had it, but it was definitely shocking still,” the 25-year-old said.

Johnson, who is from Potlotek First Nation and lives in Sydney, lives alone in an apartment and has been socializing with a group of four friends, of which three have tested positive. The other friend is isolating at home and doing regular testing.

Johnson said she only had a migraine the day she went for the test but more intense symptoms hit her the next day.

“My lungs feel very sore and full. It hurts to breathe and I'm having difficulty breathing. My whole body is just sore. I have a constant migraine. My nose is running and my throat is swollen. I can't taste or smell anything. I have no energy and I have no appetite,” Johnson said in a text message because she said she has no voice due to the virus.

Chief Terry Paul announced the two active COVID-19 cases in Membertou, the first in the community, on Wednesday.

Johnson said after the news of the positive cases came out, she and her friends were the target of online bullying, rumours and insults on social media.

“We're being humiliated and bullied for being sick and it needs to stop. We already feel embarrassed and bad about the whole situation but to be kicked down when we're at our lowest is not a good feeling,” she said.

In an online message to his community, Paul said the individuals who have tested positive are isolating as required and that he is working closely with Nova Scotia Public Health on contact tracing. Those identified as close contact will be contacted by public health.

The chief encouraged people to stay home and safe and to be kind, particularly in online comments.

“I know this news is hard, and it's scary, but please know that we in Membertou are doing everything we can right now to support the individuals who are positive in the community,” he said.

“As a community, this is the time to show who we are. We are strong, we are resilient, and most importantly, we care for one another.”

For Johnson, isolating in her Sydney apartment has been “terrible.” Her mother has dropped off food, medicine and other items, and her family and friends are staying connected virtually. Johnson said she's trying to stay strong for them because she doesn't want her loved ones to worry about her.

Nova Scotia currently has over 1,500 active cases of COVID-19, with 227 new positive tests announced on Friday. The province's “circuitbreaker” lockdown announced on April 27 after a spike in cases reduced the gathering limit to households but allowed households of one or two people to bubble with one other household.

Johnson said she “underestimated” the virus.

“I didn't think it was this serious. I'd say stay as safe as you can. Get that vaccination, stay home, wash your hands, wear your mask and stick to your household. Don't even hang out with your friends because you don't know where they've been exactly. It's nothing to joke about or mess around with.”

Chief Paul said anyone that thinks they may have come in contact with the virus should isolate and get a COVID-19 test as soon as possible.

Membertou Entertainment Centre is a designated primary testing site for symptomatic and asymptomatic testing. Appointments can be made and walk-in testing is also an option. There is a dedicated line for Membertou and Eskasoni First Nations residents.

The next vaccination clinic in Membertou is for ages 28 to 39, and will take place May 19-20.