Thread by @LizaYuzda

Provincial update from Prov Health Officer Dr Bonnie Henry
total 659
new 42
1 new death (14 total)
VGH 339
FH 218
Int 46
Island 47
North
64 hosp,
183 recovered
Another care centre Broadway pentacostal in
No new at Lynn Valley but new death
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Re dentist who passed away this weekend Dr Henry says the investigation by Coroner is ongoing and that his family is very affected but this situation
55 health care workers affect by LT care outbreaks
Other health workers - like dentists different
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Henry says difference of dentist cases vs health care workers in the field of work is because they were transmitted via the conference not via health work.
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Re medical equip &PPEs - have seen dramatic increase in use over past week - the burn rate higher than expected and putting in measures to work more efficient and new shipments on order and using alternative items and means
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Re public gatherings - Dr henry reminding there is an order for less than 50 ppl - based on what's been done and worked in other places - but smaller is better.
Next 2 weeks vital to halt transmissions.
sometimes 2 or 3 is enough to spread
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Dr Henry says this includes celebrations and ceremonies -
Asking leaders in community - faith leaders, community leaders - there need to be alternate ways to get together without gathering in person.
Physical distance - social connection
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we have to be kind, we have to be calm and we have to be safe - Dr Henry.
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Questions - Haro park - how did increase from 1 to 55 over a week
Dr Henry - Initial cases were resident and staff then became apparent over next days there were exposures - the increase not a surprise. Once exposed no way to prevent infection
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Q - testing. ppl don't know where they got the virus and aren't being tested?
Dr Henry - depends community, what public health ppl know, where it makes the most difference to protect the health care system - and depends if there is a cluster
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Q - what about growth rate of cases - is
Dr Henry - Not pleased with any trajectory above 0. This now Dr Henry says is reflecting what has happened over last two weeks wants to see it dramatically decreasing. Testing working to head off transmission
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Over next few days Dr Henry says she wants to see numbers come down over all - the onsets of illness - new cases starting especially
Will not be able to measure results of near "draconian" restrictions are working until next week.
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Q - is there a break down of interior cases? Dr Henry says doesn't have off hand.
Asked about will they be informed if public at risk? She says yes risk will be put into public while also protecting ppls privacy as much as possible.
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Dr Henry says Friday will make public modelling for what is expected in BC as far as the curve/cases
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The Downtown eastside - concern that there is someone there who has tested positive - is this being communicated?
She says the concern is for both the ppl living there to have a safe place to go/stay safe and plans are in progress
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"The coroner is investigating a sudden unexpected death in the community...I have not said it is a COVID19 related death" Dr Henry says about the dentist who died on the north shore.
(This language is common in specific situations reporters hear)
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Q how do you know if a dentist, say, may have infected you?
Dr henry: If you haven't been contacted by public health you have not been in contact with that person while they were symptomatic usually it would be someone in close contact like a co-worker
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Notification about possible exposure at a Vernon school that came out near end of incubation. Not re specific case Henry sayd:
Different levels of risk to exposure. Find close contacts with highest risk and isolate them during incubation period.
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Dr Henry says of community cases - eg if you were at sticky wicket during Mar 5 - 15 (announced yesterday) there is different risk for each person who had been there. If ppl contact them they can work through contacts/specific situations not all at risk #bcpoli #covid19 @NEWS1130

Re increasing hospitalization and ICU cases creeping up...
Dr henry it will grown and is being watched very closely
Re demographics most in hosp are older or compromised
also a group of health care workers who have mild illnesses
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It is heartening we are not seeing doubling each day of cases in hospital but a slower increase. dr henry
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Does more need to be done on DTES to encourage / enforce social distancing?
Dr henry says again - this is many ppls homes so shouldn't think about forcing self isolation in their home but about protecting those living and working there from transmission
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This means on DTES intense cleaning and allowing distance, Dr henry says...
these are not simple problems and can't be forced upon people has to be done in way that respects people.
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Re the request for 100% compliance dr Henry says that means all people doing their bit to understand risks and avoid them - like sacrificing rituals and ceremonies - eschewing physical closeness now
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More Q on the personal protection equipment - asking for details
"That's our wicked problem" Henry says it's a reflection for how vulnerable health care workers feel about getting it, transmitting to families and able to care for ppl effectively
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PPE cont we are on a tenuous level right now Dr Henry says - there are things we can do as seen in other places and science has shown works - like putting patients infected together so Dr/nurses don't have to change with each patient
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Since first care home case at Lynn Valley why delay in preventing workers from operating at different locations.
Now order in place that can't happen.
The challenge is many contracts for diff jobs and sub contracts in long term care
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For outbreak facilities there have been orders in place restricting who can work where - now they need to do that provincially Dr henry says taking into account wages, unions - it has been complex but is coming in days.
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For this wanting more info about exactly how the renter program will work, this from MLA @SChandraHerbert who did the consult on what was wanted/needed. #bcpoli #covid19 @NEWS1130

https://twitter.com/schandraherbert/status/1242951364960870400?s=21

https://twitter.com/schandraherbert/status/1242951364960870400