Friday May 8, 2020 ~ BC
by Mary Brooke ~ West Shore Voice News
Today Friday May 8 the Provincial Health Officer took a pause from live announcement of daily COVID-19 stats in BC.
From a statement that was issued by BC Health:
There are 29 new test-positive cases of COVID-19, for a total of 2,315 in British Columbia. Regional breakdown, as usual showing the highest numbers in the lower mainland area: Fraser Health 1,089; 866 Vancouver Coastal; 180 Interior; 180 Interior Health; 125 Island Health (down from yesterday, due to a data error); and 55 Northern Health.
“We are saddened to report one new COVID-19 related death in the Fraser Health region, for a total of 127 deaths in British Columbia. We offer our condolences to everyone who has lost their loved ones,” said PHO Dr Bonnie Henry in the news release.
“In the last day, there have been no new long-term care or assisted-living facility outbreaks. In total, 16 facilities and five acute-care units have active cases. Outbreaks have now been declared over at 18 care facilities,” it was stated in the release, adding that 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.
Outbreaks in more clustered conditions continue: “There has been no change in the number of confirmed positive cases at Fraser Valley Specialty Poultry (in Chilliwack), United Poultry in Vancouver or at the Mission Institution federal correctional centre. But there are now 61 positive cases at Superior Poultry in Coquitlam and 17 connected to the Kearl Lake plant in Alberta which Dr Henry said in recent days is “of continuing concern”.
To date, 1,579 people who had tested positive for COVID-19 have recovered. “Of the total COVID-19 cases at present, 73 individuals are hospitalized (20 or which are in intensive care). The rest are recovering at home in self-isolation.
Sticking with the plan:
“We must continue with what we have been doing, because it is working. We have flattened our curve and must keep it there,” Dr Henry said. “Until we move into Phase 2, the orders, restrictions and guidance remain in place.” Phase 2 begins on Tuesday May 19 after the May long weekend. | See full strategy
“Our go-forward principles are our playbook for where we are today and how we will move forward. They are the rules to help us decide what is safe for ourselves, our loved ones and our communities. These principles will not change until COVID-19 is no longer a risk to any of us.”
“Physical distancing is here to stay. We must continue to keep a safe physical distance from anyone outside of our household.”
Stay home if you are ill:
“There are no exceptions to staying home if you are ill. Even if it seems to be seasonal allergies, a cold or potentially COVID-19. And if you do have symptoms of COVID-19, contact 811 or your health-care provider to be assessed and tested.”
Limit your travel:
“Travelling anywhere increases the likelihood of making us an unintentional carrier for COVID-19. While essential travel must continue, personal travel needs to be minimized, wherever possible.”
The reasoning behind this is how rural and remote areas might not have the health-care system capacity to deal with an outbreak that could be introduced to a small community by people arriving from other communities. There is also a desire to limit the impact on first responders who are presently experiencing a reprieve from handling motor vehicles crashes (there aren’t many while people stay home); first responders are needed for handling pandemic-related calls.
Restart BC:
The BC playbook for the pandemic has the ‘rules’ that everyone is expected to learn and follow as part of progressing through BC’s Restart Plan:
1. Maintain physical distancing outside your household. For example, no handshaking or hugging, keeping your number of contacts low and keeping a safe distance.
2. Practise good hygiene: hand hygiene, avoid touching your face and respiratory etiquette.
3. Stay at home and away from others if you are feeling ill. That means staying home from school, work or socializing.
4. Make necessary contact safer with appropriate controls, such as using plexiglass barriers or redesigning spaces.
5. Increase cleaning of frequently touched surfaces at home and work.
6. Consider using non-medical masks in situations where physical distancing cannot be maintained, such as on transit or while shopping.
7. Continue to minimize non-essential personal travel.
8. Stay informed, be prepared and follow public health advice.
Mother’s Day advice:
“This weekend is Mother’s Day and a time to celebrate and honour someone important to us,” it was stated in today’s release. “We can all do something special for our mothers, whether they are near or far, in your household bubble or not.”
“For now, avoid any close physical contact, unless your mother is in your immediate household. And if your mother is older, awaiting surgery or has an underlying illness, celebrate at a safe distance. Give your mother the gift of staying safe and healthy.”
Dr Henry continues to say: “Let’s continue to stand together in spirit as we stay apart and move forward together.”
=========== Learn More:
For more information on BC’s Restart Plan:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/covid-19-provincial-support/bc-restart-plan
For B.C.’s surgical renewal plan:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/conducting-health-research-evaluation/reports-publications
For the slides presented at the May 4 media briefing:
http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/modelling-projections
For mental health and anxiety support: www.bouncebackbc.ca
Or: www.anxietycanada.com
For guidance and information on self-isolation and self-monitoring, including how to isolate if you live with others:
http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/self-isolation
For the provincial health officer’s orders, notices and guidance: www.gov.bc.ca/phoguidance
For the latest medical updates, including case counts, prevention, risks and testing: http://www.bccdc.ca/
Or follow @CDCofBC on Twitter.
To learn where, when and how people with symptoms can be tested:
http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/testing
The COVID-19 self-assessment app, which includes details about where, when and how to be tested (download): https://bc.thrive.health/
To learn more about Fair PharmaCare, including coverage, how to request an income review and the monthly deductible payment option: https://news.gov.bc.ca/files/Register_for_Fair_PharmaCare.pdf
For non-health related information, including financial, child care and education supports, travel, transportation and essential service information, : www.gov.bc.ca/covid19
Or call 1 888 COVID19 (1 888 268-4319) between 7:30 a.m. and 8 p.m. (Pacific time), seven days a week.
For the latest videos and livestreaming of COVID-19 media availabilities:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/BCProvincialGovernment/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BCGovNews
YouTube: www.youtube.com/ProvinceofBC