A quick note on #COVID19 numbers in British Columbia: I've been told they won't be coming out on the 25th, 26th, 27th, or 28th due to the holidays and associated staffing issues.
Which means when we get numbers on the 29th, it will be five days worth.
Which means when we get numbers on the 29th, it will be five days worth.
When you factor in the rapid growth of Omicron, the delays in testing in Vancouver, and many people on Vancouver Island are being asked to wait 2-4 days to get a test, the numbers on the 29th could be unfathomably high.
However...
However...
What we saw last Christmas was a decrease in testing the days directly around Christmas because people didn't want to get tested so they wouldn't have to cancel plans — but then testing and cases shot up quickly right afterwards.
Which *could* happen again!
Which *could* happen again!
All of which is to repeat what we've been saying for the last week: cases will go up massively, other jurisdictions will give strong hints of where we're heading, exact accuracy more difficult than ever right now.
It is frustrating, but the unfortunate reality.
It is frustrating, but the unfortunate reality.
UPDATE: the government phoned me back, and said they are looking at ways to provide data about the deadly pandemic over the four days where no information is currently scheduled.
Unsure if the two people that told me there was no data were wrong, or if government is scrambling.
Unsure if the two people that told me there was no data were wrong, or if government is scrambling.
(we're all having a good time, aren't we)
How is the test-trace-isolate strategy going?
Tests: days to get one on Vancouver Island, people turned away in Vancouver, less rapid tests than anywhere outside Newfoundland
Trace: signs it's already being overrun
Isolate: see above on testing + no Christmas travel ban
Tests: days to get one on Vancouver Island, people turned away in Vancouver, less rapid tests than anywhere outside Newfoundland
Trace: signs it's already being overrun
Isolate: see above on testing + no Christmas travel ban
Quebec has over 9000 cases today, Ontario nearly 6000, goodness knows lots of places are struggling with the incredible transmissibility of Omicron.
But it feels like if the optimistic projections for Omicron's virulence are wrong, we're in a less than ideal place to respond.
But it feels like if the optimistic projections for Omicron's virulence are wrong, we're in a less than ideal place to respond.
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