#NEW: My latest for @CapitalDailyVic analyzes the rapidly deteriorating situation in BC and particularly on Vancouver Island, where #Omicron is expected to fuel 400+ daily cases by Christmas
Under current public health guidance, people who test positive are not always told whether they have #omicron. Lauren, a #yyj nurse, deduced so from her symptoms.
Contact tracers told her close contacts they don't need to isolate unless they have symptoms
Lauren told her close friends to isolate anyway. Sure enough, some of them developed symptoms just days later.
Had they not self-isolated right away, they may have unwittingly spread the virus to others due to how quickly Omicron becomes contagious—as little as three days.
Lauren tested COVID+ by using a RAT from a pharmacy. Her friends, who couldnt find tests, were told to taxi to Langford to take a PCR test.
Last week, PHO and Dix gave numerous reasons for not expediting RAT distribution. They range from misinfo to lies.
Dix applauded BC's "follow the science" approach, upholding a plan to offer booster shots to priority groups at 6 months after 2nd shot.
Turns out, community healthcare workers like nurses and pharmacists still have to wait 7-8 months. "This is not an issue of supply," Dix said.
Independent groups have been calling for more measures since Dec. 8 (@bcCOVID19group) and Dec. 15 (@Protect_BC)
So far, the province has been engaged in what some call "jurisdictional exceptionalism," where we refuse to take advice/follow steps taken in other places.
This last section was accidentally cut from the article but it’s back in now: an open letter from @Protect_BC made the following recommendations to the PHO and minister Dix.
TBD if they will be followed in today’s announcement at 1:30pm #covid19bc
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#BREAKING: Starting midnight tonight until Jan. 18, new BC PHO orders:
- Closing bars, nightclubs, gyms, fitness centres, and dance studios;
- Cancelling all organized indoor gatherings of any size
- Max. 6 per table at restaurants, cafes
New measures announced due to data that came to light over the weekend re: how transmissible omicron is even among vaxxed + potential to overwhelm hospitals.
Cases increasing among all age groups, but mostly in 19-59yr olds (i.e. working age people)