Thread by @LizaYuzda

Update in a couple minutes with Dr Henry and Health Min @adriandix. Will have three days case numbers.
Here's where we ended last week.
High new cases.
Low hospitalizations.
Seven days without a death from the virus.
#bcpoli #covid19 @news1130

Dr Bonnie Henry
No add'l deaths
Fr/sa 50, Sa/Su 37, Su/Mo 44
131 in days - 4065
VCH 1220(1167)
FH 2139(2069)
Island 148(147)
Interior 391(389)
North 96(93)
Non-residents 71(69)
Active 445(386)
Hosp/icu 9/3 (11/4)
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Dr Henry:
1765 are in isolation being watched by public health
2 new care centre 7/1 (5/1) 673 cases 406 res 267 staff
George Derby LTC (separate from Derby center)
New Vista Care Centre
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Dr Henry says contact tracing teams are working hard, being successful - why the numbers are high - both new cases and the nearly 1800 isolated. She says they are doing social network analysis.
But "we need to do better collectively" to stop the spread
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The group gatherings even if fewer than the allowed 50 people are too much.
Fines have been levied on some of the parties that have been broken up Dr Henry says.
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If you are invited to a party that just doesn't feel right, Dr Henry says there's not better excuse than a global pandemic not to do.
We need to be in this together keeping layers of protection, groups small.
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These next two weeks are critical for us, Dr Henry says - we must hold the line and bend the curve back down.
She says the anxiety of not knowing what school is going to look like is normal - classes she says aren't going to look like March or even June
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Talking about schools - Dr Henry says like with other businesses where PHO set safe boundaries and then retail and offices made it work in their setting so will they at schools.
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Dr Henry: when talking about different classes being together doesn't mean kids intermingling. She says this means staggered start/break times, 2-3 classes may start/recess at same time but will stay separate. (this the clearest detail so far)
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Earlier Dr Henry mentioned additional exposure events. I have tweeted out the ones at locations in the province (the new ones in metro van) but there are also a number on flights in last couple weeks. @yvrairport
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Q&A: BC seen v high new cases in young pp- why no masks in schools?
Dr Henry says doesn't see connection btwn 20-30 yr-olds increasing cases & school kids. Again reiterating masks are least effective of layers of protection. Where distance not possible
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Dr Henry says parents though can social kids to get used to wearing masks for short periods of time. But for longer periods in classrooms there are safer ways to keep kids safe.
And she says they are continuing to watch new evidence re kids and covid
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Q re ppl not following rules in bars and restaurants
Dr Henry says - there are orders to help businesses stand up to rule breakers. Biz can be shut down if not following the rules.Bylaw, inspectors are working to support biz customers must also
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Q re how often employees are tested for covid - mentioning TV show where production & union disagree on how often testing should happen
Dr henry says there are PHO guidelines.
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Q Do grandparents need to stay away from kids when they return to school.
Dr Henry - this is difficult. Grandparents need to consider health risks- what other risks families have. Families need to assess how to limit risk
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Q what are things that might change in classrooms?
Dr Henry:
way kids are sitting - which way they are facing
distance between kids
how to improve ventilation
There is a role for mask - for older kids/teachers meeting for longer periods, hallways
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Schools cont Dr Henry saying again pods (60 younger, 120 older) doesn't mean kids all close together
schools are looking at outside classes
A lot to learn from other regions
what happens in schools reflects what's happening in the community
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Q what more can be done about ppl breaking orders - with parties?
We "start with the carrot not with the stick" Dr Henry says.
Public health working with bylaw officers and communities - says the 50 max is one that can and is being enforced.
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Q-what is being done to prevent more outbreaks at LTC centres?
Dr Henry all newer outbreaks have been identified with a single case so halting early. Daily screening. Says health care workers have special resp now to keep families/contacts/clients safe
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Q beyond cohort, @bctf & others concerned just class size is too great for kids to be safe - why not mandate mask?
Dr Henry: "as I have said many times there is a role for masks" esp for teens/tchrs but masks are the least effective mode of protection.
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Q re bars & hockey play offs is this going to make it even harder
Dr henry - was happy to see @Canucks (and lamenting for @MapleLeafs fans - burn!). But says this is the time to keep gatherings small, go to a patio. Don't be a jerk to bar/rest workers.
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Q does increase in child cases in the US give pause to school restart?
Dr Henry- "it reflects what I've been saying that schools are a reflection of what is happening in the community." She says the child outbreaks in US are where transmission is high.
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Q-what's protocol if staff/student test positive?
Dr henry: like in June will depend on situation. risk assessment & investigation is done. Anyone at risk will be isolated. There needs to be flexibility. Unit of learning is still classroom based.
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school protocol cont - this unit of learning comment is another clear indication that students will be only interacting in any meaningful way with classmates, not larger pod (which she said is to minimize #s together entering/exiting/recessing)
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