Thread by @LizaYuzda

PHO Dr. Bonnie Henry & health min @adriandix giving update in a few min.
Here's where we were at on Saturday.
Today's numbers - like all Mondays - will be for two days
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Health min @adriandix giving condolences to ppl and families in Nova Scotia.
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Dr Bonnie Henry
new 18th - 29 & 19th - 23 (52 new)
total 1699
VCH 700 (686 on sat)
FH 705 (661 on sat)
Island 102 (97 on sat)
Interior 153 (150 on sat)
North 39 (34 on sat)
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Dr Bonnie Henry
Longterm care, 1 news Chartwell - 307 cases (20 - 288 cases on sat)
Delta view & Okanagan corrections outbreak over
acute care (sat 1, ridge meadows)
Farm outbreak same
Mission inst 75 cases (on sat was 70cases/6 hosp/1 death)
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Transmission to ppl in BC from Fort Mac work camp
7 people positive. Others in contact with them being tested.
Dr Henry says - now ordering anyone at that project since Mar 15 must be isolating for 14 days. If had or have symptoms call 811.
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Henry says she expects more cases will result from the Curl Lake project in Alberta.
She's reminding of the guidance in place for work camps here in BC.
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Dr. Henry -- 5 additional deaths in BC - 86 deaths now in total
3 people died on saturday
2 people dies on sunday
104 hospitalized
49 crit care
1039 recovered.
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Testing strategy: Dr Henry - it's evolving as situation changes.
At start when more community spread transitioned to most vulnerable.
Now using testing again to quickly ident new community cases ie those returning from AB to avoid comm spread spike
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So now henry reminding that anyone with symptoms - cough fever shortness of breath or in contact with someone who has COVID19 or assoc with outbreak.
While everyone can get tested not everyone needs it - ie if you don't have symptoms test is not helpful
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We can only make changes we want to do - ie ease restrictions - we need to continue seeing a decline Henry says. Learning from other regions she says we need to find the balance between restrictions (celebrations, funerals, events)
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The future Henry says:
Limit of 50 ppl only if distance can be retained
Keeping distance from seniors at risk
Avoiding non-essential travel
Being sensitive to staying home/away from others if have any sort of illness
Keeping ill employees home
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Our new normal is going to be a modification of what we've had over last months Henry says. It will be some trial to find sweet spot.
Now must hold line understanding hardships of last 6 weeks and not waste the hard work we've done together.
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Health min @adriandix saying how much harder grieving is now.
Hosp 104
FH 52
VCH 32
Interior 11
Island 6
North 3
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.@adriandix of 1000s returning to BC 137 ppl isolating at BC centres
Hospital at 61.3% capacity, 45.3% critical care
3548 911 calls yesterday compared 6500 a month ago, up from a week ago - reminding 911/ER is there & you should call/go if you need it.
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Traditional PPE is running low @adriandix says.
Use of alternate sources is about a week away - he says testing to ensure quality is underway now to ensure only those that are safe will put into use.
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Over next few weeks @adriandix they will continue to do the work and follow the science on the health side to ensure there is a way for society to function safely and avoid spikes in transmission. Specifics of what it will look like aren't there yet.
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One plant in Alberta has 358 cases in a small community High River (13000 pop) -- this is what we need to guard against @adriandix says as we go about our lives over the next weeks and months.
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Q - temperature testing at stores, etc? could that happen here?
Henry - don't think particularly helpful with 2/3-3/4's of those with the virus having a fever - but absence of it doesn't mean safe. So if you are at all feeling unwell you must isolate.
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Q - what about those who say restrictions are over the top and not necessary...
We have averted a major crisis in BC because of what we have done. Appealing to the better angels of our nature Henry says in asking people to continue with cautions.
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The numbers are going down but we are having outbreaks and cases coming in - can't let guard in yet. what is different now is ppl returning are being isolated Henry says where before they were exposing dozens to the virus
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Q are summer camps or daycares coming back this summer?
Henry - can't say what it will look like. Those are the things they are investigating what is possible. Thinks will be some hybrid - of staggering attendance.
How to support kids not in school yet.
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What thinking of Henry says are there ways of doing trials over weeks before school ends. Expect see in May ways to safely get people going again to school day care - safely.
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Q - what about Victoria asking for province to provide hotels to those who are homeless?
Henry - all of gov looking at how to address issues across province in cohesive / coord approach everywhere -- more details on this coming
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Q - any hope for restaurants to return safely?
Henry says - I think there are ways - asking to look for ways to decrease connection to reduce risk of transmissions to staff and customers.
Maybe different in summer than when 2nd wave may come in fall
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Q - what about retail workers thinking the plexiglass shields aren't enough barrier.
A - Henry says plastic shields between customer and staff is one of the best protections.
In health care the barrier is masks.
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Q - rapid tests going to remote communities
Henry says this is the 'Gene expert' - can be used outside major labs. Many have gone around the north and in other areas decreasing transportation time of samples.
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Q what's situation at long term care homes like Lynn Valley where cases are stabilizing
Henry - still trickle of cases & tragic 20 deaths.
Many outbreaks caught early enough that caught most cases. Waiting 2 incubation periods before declare it over.
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Q how do we plan for summer /future?
Henry - unlikley going to have concerts or major big events or lifting limit of 50 ppl.
Weddings, grads, can have but need to rethink smaller scale, bring ppl in remotely - big parties will spread the virus.
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We are going to be doing things differently for a year, Henry says.
She says she can't see the future but doesn't see a vaccine before then
There will be space to open up but not big events or gatherings.
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Q re Alert Bay and outbreak there.
Henry - aware of this for some time. FN and Island Health working to prevent transmission. 6 - 8 ppl have tested positive.
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