Tuesday May 5, 2020 ~ VICTORIA
by Mary Brooke, B.Sc. ~ West Shore Voice News
In addition to the usual rollout of data about COVID-19 test-positive cases, hospitalizations, cluster outbreaks and deaths due to COVID-19 in BC, today Provincial Health Officer Dr Bonnie Henry issued her usual reminders about following the protocols of hand-washing, physical distancing, self-isolation as much as possible, and absolutely staying home if you’re not feeling well.
“Our pandemic in BC” is about to be expanded upon by Premier John Horgan in a joint news conference with Health Minister Adrian Dix and Dr Henry tomorrow May 6 at 3 pm (Pacific Time). That can be viewed live on Facebook and Twitter; it will also be broadcast on local and national TV.
Dr Henry says she firmly believes in the importance of regular communication about the details and rationale of how the science and data is driving the management of the pandemic in BC. As Health Minister Adrian Dix says, “so you know what we know”.
Detailed presentation:
There will be a few details to absorb about this ‘new normal’. As is done with ‘budget lockups’ prior to delivery of a provincial budget, media are being given the ‘new normal’ public health information a short bit in advance, to study and absorb.
In that way, media questions can be as keen as possible during the live 3 pm media event and so that the public can receive good media reports in time for the Wednesday evening TV news and for the packaging of online news reports in portals such as this one.
The new normal for this summer:
Dr Henry has described the summer of 2020 as “unique” in BC, given the pandemic conditions. People will still need to practice physical distancing, which will make normal summer activities like graduation ceremonies, sports activities, weddings and community barbecues somewhat different, or even not possible.
BC is at “the end of our beginning”, says the Provincial Health Officer. In BC, together, we have flattened the curve.
But this is not the time to ease up too fast. That’s why Premier Horgan will lead the announcement about changes to the COVID-19 public health management landscape tomorrow in his 3 pm press conference.
COVID-19 by the numbers (May 5):
The BC Centre for Disease Control COVID-19 data as delivered by the PHO and Health Minister today included (current to 3 pm May 5):
- There are a total of 2,232 confirmed cases in BC, with eight of those being new in the last 24 hours. By region, the most cases are in Fraser Health (1,031), then Vancouver Coastal Health (849), Interior Health (177), Island Health (124), and Northern Health (51).
- There are 78 people in hospital (of those, 21 are in intensive care).
- With four new deaths announced today, that brings the total of COVID-19 related deaths in BC to 121.
- Meanwhile, 1,472 people in BC have recovered from COVID-19.
About COVID-19 outbreaks in BC:
Dr Henry was pleased to announce that the first and most virulent COVID-19 outbreak in a long-term care facility — the Lynn Valley Care Centre — is declared over. The number of long-term care homes and assisted-living homes currently affected is 17, along with five acute-care unit outbreaks.
Minister Dix says hospitals are still ably prepared to handle an influx of COVID-19 patients, including enough spaces in ICU and enough mechanical ventilators.
In total, 34 long-term care homes or assisted living facilities have had COVID-19 outbreaks since the pandemic ramped up in BC. “In the last day, there has been one new long-term care facility outbreak at Evergreen House in the Vancouver Coastal Health region and two outbreaks at acute-care units at Ridge Meadows and Richmond Hospitals. In total, 17 facilities and five acute-care units have active outbreaks, with outbreaks now declared over at 17 care facilities,” said Dr Henry today.
“Public health teams are also providing support to a number of community outbreaks, actively contact tracing those who may be directly affected and their close contacts,” she said.
In workplace clusters, there are seven confirmed positive cases at Fraser Valley Specialty Poultry in Chilliwack, 55 at Superior Poultry in Coquitlam and 35 employees confirmed positive at United Poultry in Vancouver.
There are also 134 inmates and staff confirmed positive at the Mission Institution federal correctional centre, as well as 15 positive cases of COVID-19 connected to the Kearl Lake plant in Alberta.
New provincial advice and measures announced today:
- The Province is opening a 45-bed emergency response centre with wraparound supports and services at Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre, the first site in B.C. to feature pop-up pods that provide privacy: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020SDPR0025-000818
- With annual flood and wildfire seasons approaching in British Columbia and physical distancing restrictions in place due to COVID-19, the Province is launching a digital registration system for Emergency Support Services: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020PSSG0025-000813
- The latest modelling presentation and information is available online: http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/modelling-projections
New federal advice and measures:
- Supporting Canada’s farmers, food businesses and food supply with a new $252 million fund (which apparently will be further expanded): https://pm.gc.ca/en/news/news-releases/2020/05/05/supporting-canadas-farmers-food-businesses-and-food-supply | That includes creating a $77.5 million Emergency Processing Fund to help food producers access more personal protective equipment (PPE), adapt to health protocols, automate or modernize their facilities, processes, and operations, and respond to emerging pressures from COVID-19 so they can better supply Canadians with food during this period.
- Statement on joint collaboration by Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation members amid COVID-19 pandemic: https://www.canada.ca/en/global-affairs/news/2020/05/statement-on-joint-collaboration-by-apec-members-amid-covid-19-pandemic.html
Resources:
- For provincial support and COVID-19 information: www.gov.bc.ca/covid
- For seniors looking for additional support at this time, call 211 or visit: http://www.bc211.ca/
- For information for Indigenous peoples in B.C.: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/indigenous-people/covid19
- If you or a family member need additional medical advice, call 811.
Testing:
- For the latest statistics, including testing, visit the BC Centre for Disease Control’s COVID-19 dashboard: http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/data
- If symptoms appear, check your symptoms online: https://covid19.thrive.health
- If needed, call your health-care provider or 811 for further guidance.