There are 19 care homes in BC where there are confirmed cases. #bcpoli #COVID19BC
Says vast majority has a single person infected. Outbreak measures have been in place to help prevent outbreaks in those care homes. #bcpoli #covid19BC
The province is now investigating an outbreak of COVID19 at a agricultural nursery in Kelowna involving temporary foreign workers. #bcpoli #COVID19BC
Dr. Henry says there is additional guidance coming from province on municipal bylaw officers either today or tomorrow. #bcpoli #COVID19BC
Dr. Henry says the province has put in place a first responder dispatch protocol. During a pandemic when PPE's are so important, the protocol allows for pandemics ONLY to be dispatched to most medical calls. #bcpoli #COVID19BC
Dr. Henry says this measure ensures all paramedics have PPE and the non-paramedic first responders can be protected from potential exposures. #bcpoli #COVID19BC
Dr. Henry says this is a highly critical juncture for the province to reduce the spread of the virus. "We must be true to who we are. All of us, most of us, are doing everything necessary." #bcpoli #COVID19BC
Adrian Dix speaking now. Dix says there are now 4,171 empty beds are in acute care hospitals. The province starting to see the full effect of cancelled elective surgeries. #bcpoli #COVID19BC
Dix says he knows 'a lot of people have made a lot of sacrifices' but no one has sacrificed more than those who have waited for surgery. "Once we get through this we will move with as much energy and compassion to address their surgeries as we have to address COVID19." #bcpoli
On ambulance calls. Dix says there were 1,333 overall calls Monday across BC and the average this time of year is 1,540 calls a day. #bcpoli #COVID19BC
Dix thanking those who clean the hospitals and prepare meals at the hospital for the work they are doing. Dix speaking to health care workers who have volunteered to return to the public system if needed. #covid19BC #bcpoli
Here are some ventilator numbers. Dix says there are now 53 refurbished ventilators here. 30 new ventilators have arrived. These are on top of the 1,272 ventilators currently available in the province. #bcpoli #COVID19BC
In home COVID19 testing in Langford, Dr. Henry says it's not a good use of resources for testing people at low risk. #bcpoli #COVID19BC
Dr. Henry says the program would be more useful providing advice for people who have returned home to BC from out of province. #bcpoli #COVID19BC
Not reporting cases at the community level, Dr. Henry says this is how we do business at a public health level. #bcpoli #COVID19BC
Dr. Henry says anytime they are looking for potential cases in the community or if there is risk that information is provided. #bcpoli #COVID19BC
Dr. Henry says non-disclosure is about risk to the public, not about protecting people's privacy. #bcpoli #COVID19BC
On West Kelowna nursery outbreak, Dr. Henry says these are farmers coming in prior to travel restrictions. They were identified as being ill and tested on the weekend. #bcpoli #COVID19BC
Dr. Henry says the workers are in good housing where they can be isolated. Says the community outbreak was caught 'relatively early.' #bcpoli #COVID19BC
On concerns of national temporary foreign workers program, Dr. Henry says she has expressed concerns linked to the program and possible spread of the virus. Says there have been national conversations about those who have traveled here recently. #bcpoli #COVID19BC
Dr. Henry says there are discussions about ensuring there is quarantine for those who are coming from outside of the country. "We are very lucky this group has good accommodations." #bcpoli #COVID19BC
Dr. Henry says COVID-19 will have to be monitored until there is a vaccine. "A vaccine is something we really have to push for." Says this is just the first wave. #bcpoli #COVID19BC
Dr. Henry says this wave will likely go into May. Says we could end up in a similar situation as we are now if there is a second wave before we get a vaccine. #bcpoli #COVID19BC
Dr. Henry says we will not be back to normal live until the summer. And then we have to be prepared for the second wave in the fall. #bcpoli #COVID19BC
On gathering sizes, Dr. Henry says right now all gatherings are off the table. Says the gatherings sizes are not based on science. #bcpoli #COVID19BC
Dr. Henry says 'hugging' is dangerous right now. But won't change the order because it is challenging for homeless people and others. But the bottom line is do not gather in groups. #bcpoli #COVID19BC
On DTES, Dr. Henry acknowledges the challenges again. "We are doing the best we can do. We need to have a rational approach." #bcpoli #COVID19BC
On new normal, Dr. Henry says she doesn't believe all restrictions will be in place until the vaccine is here. Says based on other countries there are peaks and then things start to come down. "We need to hold the course right now." #bcpoli #COVID19BC
