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BC #COVID19 update August 20
Provided by Deputy Provincial Health Officer Dr. Réka Gustafson this week
Two deaths, both in Fraser Health at long term care facilities (Total: 200)
Total new cases: 80
(Total: 4,825)
Provided by Deputy Provincial Health Officer Dr. Réka Gustafson this week
Two deaths, both in Fraser Health at long term care facilities (Total: 200)
Total new cases: 80
(Total: 4,825)
Of local #COVID19 cases
1,526 VCH (+38)
2,533 FVH (+40)
159 Van Island (+1)
411 Interior
121 Northern Health (+1)
75 non-Canadian residents
(+/-) = change from yesterday
1,526 VCH (+38)
2,533 FVH (+40)
159 Van Island (+1)
411 Interior
121 Northern Health (+1)
75 non-Canadian residents
(+/-) = change from yesterday
780 known active COVID-19 cases (-18)
1 in hospital (+4)
4 in ICU
3,845 fully recovered (79.7% of all recorded cases.)
2,574 people in self isolation after coming in close contact with a positive test
1 in hospital (+4)
4 in ICU
3,845 fully recovered (79.7% of all recorded cases.)
2,574 people in self isolation after coming in close contact with a positive test
No new LTC/Care Centre/Community outbreaks
Still 9 active outbreaks in care facilities: 8 in LTC/1 acute care.
NEW B.C. #COVID19 COMMUNITY OUTBREAK
9 cases a Loblaws in Fraser Health Authority
Still 9 active outbreaks in care facilities: 8 in LTC/1 acute care.
NEW B.C. #COVID19 COMMUNITY OUTBREAK
9 cases a Loblaws in Fraser Health Authority
Update to Haida Gwaii #covid19 outbreak:
everyone in that cluster is considered fully recovered. Public health still monitoring until the outbreak is declared over, according to Dr. Réka Gustafson
everyone in that cluster is considered fully recovered. Public health still monitoring until the outbreak is declared over, according to Dr. Réka Gustafson
Dr. Réka Gustafson says new infections in B.C. but it is relatively stable. The number of people in hospital remains low, but have seen small increase in infections for people ages 40-60.
CORRECTION:
11 people in hospital. (+1 from yesterday)
(my finger slipped)
11 people in hospital. (+1 from yesterday)
(my finger slipped)
Q: Re: 811 calls. There's been a surge. Is this indication ppl feel anxiety?
A ( @adriandix ): Tens of thousands of calls a day. Reflection of our determination to provide care and support.
A ( @adriandix ): Tens of thousands of calls a day. Reflection of our determination to provide care and support.
Q: Number of ppl in isolation has doubled in a week. Is contact tracing effective?
A (Dr. Gustafson): Yes, the number of people a reflection of work of the teams to be effective.
A (Dr. Gustafson): Yes, the number of people a reflection of work of the teams to be effective.
Q: Is there a new trend affecting people ages 40-60? You said you've seen an increase.
A (Dr. Gustafson): Majority are still with young ppl. Seeing small increase in slightly older population & is important to monitor b/c risk goes up with age.
A (Dr. Gustafson): Majority are still with young ppl. Seeing small increase in slightly older population & is important to monitor b/c risk goes up with age.
Q: In Alberta, ppl going back to school are invited to get tested before school. Will u do something similar here?
A (Dr. Gustafson): "Not an option the science tells us we should take" Testing ppl without symptoms, yield of true positives is low & could get many false positives
A (Dr. Gustafson): "Not an option the science tells us we should take" Testing ppl without symptoms, yield of true positives is low & could get many false positives
Q: Thoughts on @BCFerries now making masks mandatory?
A (Dr. Gustafson): In the context of where you are interacting with ppl you don't know or may not keep a distance, the additional layer of protection can be helpful. But masks are lowest form of protection.
A (Dr. Gustafson): In the context of where you are interacting with ppl you don't know or may not keep a distance, the additional layer of protection can be helpful. But masks are lowest form of protection.
Q: What is message to ppl in Island Health who want to get tested but can't because of issues getting through to 811?
A ( @adriandix): Working on solution. Are 9 active cases on Vancouver Island right now so put into perspective. There are lots of high risk (older) populations
A ( @adriandix): Working on solution. Are 9 active cases on Vancouver Island right now so put into perspective. There are lots of high risk (older) populations
Q: Details on hiring of new contact tracers (recruiting timeline, new tech)
A ( @adriandix ): Had hundreds of ppl respond. Important b/c have big team now & want to increase capacity in case needed in fall, also allows other health care professionals go back to regular duties
A ( @adriandix ): Had hundreds of ppl respond. Important b/c have big team now & want to increase capacity in case needed in fall, also allows other health care professionals go back to regular duties
Q: Considering introducing new tech to improve contact tracing?
A ( @adriandix ): Short answer is yes. Working with Feds & other Provs. Ont. working on a contact tracing app
A (Dr. Gustafson): Essence of the work is care for ppl who may be cases/contacts so hiring ppl important
A ( @adriandix ): Short answer is yes. Working with Feds & other Provs. Ont. working on a contact tracing app
A (Dr. Gustafson): Essence of the work is care for ppl who may be cases/contacts so hiring ppl important
Q: Getting complaints ppl told to get tested but then waiting in long lines. So why are tests lower than capacity?
A ( @adriandix): Number of ppl we test is on BCCDC dashboard. You're seeing a response to more demand for testing. 4,200 tests done yesterday, increase of demand....
A ( @adriandix): Number of ppl we test is on BCCDC dashboard. You're seeing a response to more demand for testing. 4,200 tests done yesterday, increase of demand....
... have capacity for 8,000. The capacity is two fold. Need people to take the test but also need to process the tests and get results. Goal in the fall is to increase that to 20,000 for more rapid response. But we may not need to preform 20k per day. Just preparing in case.
Q: How airborne is #COVID19?
A (Dr. Gustafson): Those ppl worried can be reassured. Over 20 million infections around the world. The way it's behaving is transmitted when ppl in close proximity. That is not the feature of an airborne virus.....
A (Dr. Gustafson): Those ppl worried can be reassured. Over 20 million infections around the world. The way it's behaving is transmitted when ppl in close proximity. That is not the feature of an airborne virus.....
... If #COVID19 was airborne, the things we are doing would not be working.
Q: Did you have #COVID19 plans in place for evacuations of communities affected by wildfires
A (Dr. Gustafson): Guidelines in place take into account #COVID19 transmission. Having ppl appropriately separated, lots of hand washing. We considered plans like this earlier this year.
A (Dr. Gustafson): Guidelines in place take into account #COVID19 transmission. Having ppl appropriately separated, lots of hand washing. We considered plans like this earlier this year.
Q: Was anyone who had to leave their home supposed to be in isolation?
A (Dr. Gustafson): Not that we know of. Not anyone we were following.
A (Dr. Gustafson): Not that we know of. Not anyone we were following.
Q: What about testing asymptomatic people?
A (Dr. Gustafson): Still don't recommend testing of asymptomatic people in general, especially if they haven't had verified contact with someone with the virus.
A (Dr. Gustafson): Still don't recommend testing of asymptomatic people in general, especially if they haven't had verified contact with someone with the virus.
Q: On one designated visitor to care homes. Some allowing multiple visitors in certain outdoor locations. Will that change as weather cools?
A ( @adriandix): Rules pretty stringent. Some care homes have slightly different rules, but must follow provincial rules. We are adaptive.
A ( @adriandix): Rules pretty stringent. Some care homes have slightly different rules, but must follow provincial rules. We are adaptive.
Q: BC Lottery working with casinos for reopening. How likely is it casinos will open soon?
A (Dr. Gustafson): What we know about COVID-19 right now, its highest in close settings, high touch areas. As ppl get older, risk is higher. Casinos particularly worrisome.
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A (Dr. Gustafson): What we know about COVID-19 right now, its highest in close settings, high touch areas. As ppl get older, risk is higher. Casinos particularly worrisome.
1/2
2/2
A ( @adriandix): Don't expect any change to rules to casinos any time soon.
A ( @adriandix): Don't expect any change to rules to casinos any time soon.
Q: School districts laying out plans. Some parents worried about in classrooms. Will strategy be to rely on contact tracing?
A (Dr. Gustafson): No. Plans are first to prevent spread of #COVID19. There are ways to physically distance in classrooms/schools.
A (Dr. Gustafson): No. Plans are first to prevent spread of #COVID19. There are ways to physically distance in classrooms/schools.
Q (last): More info on warehouse Loblaws outbreak?
( @NEWS1130 has confirmed it was in Surrey)
A (Dr. Gustafson): At this point, it's just staff. 9 of them.
STORY: https://www.citynews1130.com/2020/08/20/80-cases-outbreak-at-loblaws/
( @NEWS1130 has confirmed it was in Surrey)
A (Dr. Gustafson): At this point, it's just staff. 9 of them.
STORY: https://www.citynews1130.com/2020/08/20/80-cases-outbreak-at-loblaws/
