Saturday March 11, 2023 | VICTORIA, BC
by Mary P Brooke, B.Sc. | Island Social Trends
It’s been three years since the official declaration of COVID-19 as a global public health emergency (as declared by the World Health Organization on March 11, 2020, followed in BC on March 17, 2020). Following that, a state of emergency was declared on March 18, 2020 and renewed every two weeks through to June 30, 2021.
In BC, the three years of the pandemic to date resulted in 5,249 COVID-related deaths, 33,648 people hospitalized due to COVID, and 396,817 lab-confirmed cases.
Yesterday Health Minister Adrian Dix and Provincial Health Officer Dr Bonnie Henry provided a Spring 2023 COVID update.
On this three-year occasion, the BC Government has issued a statement:
Canada’s National Day of Observance
Premier David Eby; Adrian Dix, Minister of Health; and Dr. Bonnie Henry, provincial health officer, have issued the following joint statement to acknowledge the National Day of Observance for people affected by COVID-19:
“Today is Canada’s National Day of Observance. On this day, we take time to remember all those who have died or have had health complications as a result of COVID-19, and honour our health-care and front-line workers who have been working selflessly and courageously since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic three years ago.
“It was on March 11, 2020, that the World Health Organization (WHO) officially declared COVID-19 to be a global pandemic. Since then, SARS COV-2 virus has challenged people and communities around the world in unprecedented ways. Today, we stand together and observe a moment of silence to remember and honour those people who have lost their lives, while also thinking of their family and friends. This virus has been particularly hard on seniors and Elders in our families and communities and we hold them in our thoughts again today.
“While we may have had different experiences these last three years, the pandemic has profoundly impacted every single person and community in B.C. We will never forget those who died, and we will always be grateful to the front-line heroes who worked and continue to work tirelessly to keep us safe and support us through these most difficult times.
“We are also grateful to everyone in B.C. who stepped forward to be vaccinated and who followed the public health guidelines to protect themselves, their families and their communities. This commitment has allowed us to get back to our lives and once again enjoy the social activities, entertainment, gatherings, sports, in-person work and school that are so important to our health and well-being.
“We know this was no small request and we are deeply grateful to everyone who stepped up to do their part. Your sacrifices – great and small – made a difference and helped British Columbia emerge from the darkest days of the pandemic.
“As we emerge from the pandemic and look to the future, we must continue to work together to keep each other safe and build a healthier future for all of us.”
===== RELATED ARTICLES by ISLAND SOCIAL TRENDS:
Dr Bonnie Henry marks 3 years into the COVID pandemic (Mar 10, 2023)
Recommendation to use masks appropriately in respiratory season (Nov 16, 2022)
Premier Horgan addresses all of BC about COVID-19: we are in this together (Mar 31, 2020)
Island Social Trends COVID archive (2020 to present)
===== ABOUT ISLAND SOCIAL TRENDS:
Island Social Trends Editor Mary P Brooke, B.Sc. has covered COVID news in-depth throughout the three years of the pandemic (2020 to present).