Tuesday November 24, 2020 | NATIONAL
by Mary P Brooke, B.Sc., editor | Island Social Trends
Today Prime Minister Justin Trudeau readily acknowledged that people in other countries — where they have pharmaceutical companies that produce vaccines — will have the opportunity for vaccination before Canadians do.
This is yet another glaring inequity or shortfall that COVID has laid bare in 2020… that in Canada the government has not kept up with supporting science and industry in the pharmaceutical sector. More importantly, it sheds doubt that the arrival of a major pandemic was on any government’s radar for decades.
We can only watch in December, January and possibly also February as other people around the world get some injected protection against the otherwise unstoppable COVID-19 virus. This is bound to cause some political distress for the Liberal government, even though we can understand that people in countries where vaccines are produced will get the vaccine first (as Trudeau explained in a matter-of-fact though empathetic way).
“To keep Canadians safe, we need access to as many potential vaccines and treatments as possible,” Trudeau said during his Rideau Cottage address on Tuesday.
There could be some question as to how skilled the negotiation process was between Canada and the companies that are producing vaccines (Pfizer, Moderna and AstraZeneca in the current case of apparently successful products), as in not thinking ahead to request vaccine product at the same time as it would be delivered in those companies’ home countries. Or maybe they did try, and met with territorialism. So much for globalism.
It’s a sobering winter ahead for Canadians, many of us already fatigued by the continued attention to public health protocols and the social, economic, emotional, physical (day by day), and mental strains it has put on our lives.
Another new record daily COVID case count was set today in BC: a remarkable jump up to 941 cases was posted on the BC CDC COVID dashboard this Tuesday, November 24. (Previous one-day peak counts were 817 on October 26 and 713 on November 20).
[Update on November 25, 2020: Dr Henry announced a COVID tally data correction — due to an error in data transfer from lab to health authority — in Fraser Health Region numbers, which changes the daily count for November 17 to 24. For November 24 the correct total new-case count is now 695.]
The full year COVID tally in BC to date is now 28,348 test-positive cases; presently 7,732 of those are active.
New cases are seen across all age groups in BC, with the highest number of cases in the working-age adult groups (20s through 50s). Though it should be noted that 110 youth ages 10 to 19 were test-positive in the last 24 hours, and 36 children under age 10.
There are 284 people in hospital (61 in intensive care), which puts a strain on health-care system resources (personnel and facilities).
Presently 10,283 people are in isolation due to exposure to a known case of COVID-19.
Vancouver Island COVID profile:
Most new cases continue to be in the BC lower mainland area (Vancouver Coastal Health and Fraser Health) but even on Vancouver Island the previously low level of transmission has shifted upward.
Today there were 11 new cases on Vancouver Island — fairly evenly across most age groups (children through to age 79 years). On the heels of 48 cases this past weekend into Monday, that brings the Island Health total to 505.
In Island Health there are now 152 active cases, seen geographically as 44 in south Vancouver Island, 95 central, and 13 north.
Currently, two COVID patients are in hospital (no change since yesterday, and down from three last Friday), but with no one in intensive care.
Death by COVID:
There were 10 more COVID-deaths in BC since yesterday, bringing the provincial total to 358. That’s on the heels of 17 deaths over the weekend into Monday. Most of the deaths have been among long-term care residents, in lower mainland regions.
There have been no COVID deaths on Vancouver Island since September 28; the total for the island is six this year.
Restrictions, masks and state of emergency:
These case increases are seen despite the current restrictions in place to December 7, 2020 which restrict travel and movement to if only essential reasons, and cancels all events (with some exceptions for weddings, funerals and baptisms).
Wearing of masks in all indoor public spaces is mandatory now, for all persons age 12 and older.
The state of emergency in BC has been extended to end of day December 8.
To help enforce that, Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth issued a release today noting that a wide range of government officers can levy fines to people not wearing masks, including in malls, shopping centres, coffee shops, retail and grocery stores; liquor and drug stores; airports, city halls, libraries, community and recreation centres; restaurants, pubs and bars; places of public worship; on public transportation, in a taxi or ride-sharing vehicle; common areas of office buildings, court houses, hospitals and hotels; common areas of sport and fitness centres when not engaged in physical activity; and common areas of post-secondary institutions and non-profit organizations.
All about masks:
Working with public health officials, Emergency Management BC anticipates issuing further orders to enforce requirements for masks in common areas of apartment buildings, condos and workplaces. This first order covers the high-traffic public settings where people who do not know each other often interact.
For the purposes of this order, a mask or face covering is defined as a medical or non-medical mask that covers the nose and mouth. Face shields are not a substitute for a mask, as there is an opening below the mouth.
People who cannot wear a mask or who cannot put on or remove a mask without the assistance of others are exempt. A person may not be able to wear a mask for a psychological, behavioural or health condition, or due to a physical, cognitive or mental impairment.
Masks may be removed temporarily in indoor public places to identify the individual wearing the mask, to consume food or beverage at a location designated for this purpose, while participating in a sport or fitness activity in a sport facility or while receiving a personal or health service that requires the mask to be removed.
“Education is key, which is why we’re having businesses review their plans and getting the word out to communities in several languages,” Farnworth said. “Businesses should provide signage on the mandatory mask policy and inform customers about the requirement. Of course, despite any range of efforts, some people will break the rules knowing full well what they’re doing. These measures give police and other enforcement officials the tools to intervene with and penalize problematic individuals and groups.”
Anyone without a mask in an indoor public place or who refuses to comply with the direction of an enforcement officer, including the direction to leave the space, or who responds with abusive or belligerent behaviour, may be subject to a $230 fine.
Effective immediately, these measures are enacted under the provincial state of emergency, using the extraordinary powers of the EPA in ongoing support of B.C.’s COVID-19 response.
To report non-emergency contraventions of this mask order, people are asked to contact their local government’s bylaw office. Local bylaw officers can help follow-up on concerns and engage police departments and WorkSafe BC as necessary. If they are unable to reach a local bylaw office, they can contact their local police department’s non-emergency line. Police may be called if someone has become threatening or abusive in response to a request to put on a mask.
Second wave hitting hard:
The second wave is real and hitting hard. Yesterday Dr Henry said the deaths (most of which are in long-term care) are happening as a result of health-care workers bringing in the virus from contact in non-work time in the community. As of yesterday there were 970 active cases in long-term care, 365 of among staff.
“B.C.’s health-care workers are in our labs and hospitals, at our testing sites and in our communities. These people are our health-care system. They are there to support all of us without question and without pause, and we need to show that same support to them by all of us doing our part,” it was stated in a joint statement today by Dr Bonnie HEnry and Health Minister Adrian Dix.
For Dr Henry, this second wave of the COVID pandemic is an uphill climb, with no known end in sight, she said yesterday. She acknowledges that people are tired, and that vaccines are a good hope but not available yet.
Health-care massive effort:
Yesterday Minister Dix said that the COVID virus has only one intent — to transmit between humans so that it has a way to survive. He says that COVID “takes advantage of the things that make our life more worth living, we are social beings”.
The virus spreads most easily when there is close, sustained contact between people. In winter when we are indoors for warmth, the virus has many ideal scenarios to find new hosts for its purpose of replication.
Handling COVID:
“We need to slow the spread of COVID-19 in our province and that needs to happen now. That is why we have paused all gatherings, events and indoor group fitness activities,” it was stated in the joint statement today from Dr Henry and Minister Dix.
“That is also why everyone, young and old, needs to pause their social interactions and increase their layers of protection and stay within their local communities as much as possible.”
“We need to ease the pressure to allow us to get over this next hurdle, and importantly, give us the ability to once again enjoy those things that are important to all of us.”
“Let’s remember that every case of COVID-19 is a person who requires support and care, who may become severely ill and need to be in hospital, and whose family will experience the stress, emotional burden and for some, the tragedy, that has come with this virus.”
“Let’s step up our efforts to protect our families, friends and neighbours. The time to do that is now.”
Outbreaks:
There are currently seven schools with outbreaks on Vancouver Island (in Nanaimo, Ladysmith, Qualicum Beach and Victoria). There have recently been two exposures at restaurants/pubs (Nanaimo and Victoria), one of which is now over (only Irish Times Pub in Victoria is still listed). There are two active outbreaks in long term care (Port Alberni and Campbell River).
Testing for COVID:
Presently in BC, the strategy is still to use precious testing resources where there are known exposures or active cases. If there are cases in long-term care then everyone is tested. Otherwise, asymptomatic people are not tested.
The gargle and spit test (largely targeted for use by children) is not as reliable as the uncomfortable but more reliable nasopharyngeal test, says Dr Henry.
COVID test results are available online.
===== OVERALL COVID PORTALS (BC Government):
BC’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. COVID guidelines, orders, economic recovery, employment, quarantine, K-12, indigenous, health information, request or donate supplies, etc.
Province-wide restrictions during the COVID pandemic in BC (current restrictions to December 7, 2020). These could be extended.
COVID LINKS – PHO, BC CDC and more (BC Government)
For more details on the provincial health officer’s (PHO) Nov. 19 orders, visit: www.gov.bc.ca/covid19
November 12 modeling update:
http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/modelling-projections
For the PHO’s orders, visit:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/about-bc-s-health-care-system/office-of-the-provincial-health-officer/current-health-topics/covid-19-novel-coronavirus
To see a map of COVID-19 cases by local health area, visit: http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/data
If you are experiencing symptoms, find a collection centre near you to get tested: http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/testing
For mental health and anxiety support, visit: www.bouncebackbc.ca
Or: www.anxietycanada.com
For a listing of the community exposure events:
- BCCDC (flights, work sites, etc): http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/public-exposures
- Fraser Health: fraserhealth.ca/covid19exposure
- Interior Health: https://news.interiorhealth.ca/news/public-exposures/
- Island Health: https://www.islandhealth.ca/learn-about-health/covid-19/outbreaks-and-exposures
- Northern Health: https://www.northernhealth.ca/health-topics/outbreaks-and-exposures
- Vancouver Coastal: http://www.vch.ca/covid-19/public-exposures
For the latest medical updates, including case counts, prevention, risks and testing, visit: http://www.bccdc.ca/
Or follow @CDCofBC on Twitter.
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, visit:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/BCProvincialGovernment/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BCGovNews
YouTube: www.youtube.com/ProvinceofBC