Waiting for the unexpected BC #covid19 update with PHO Dr Henry today - here's where we were yesterday - noting
-highest hospital/icu was 149/68 April 2 & 4
-LTC/Acute outbreaks highest ever at 31/4 - prior to this week worst days were 24/4 May 2nd
#bcpoli @NEWS1130

BC's #covid19 update Nov 7
567 New-17716 total
VCH (5329) +122
FH (10109) +411
Int (845) +22
Island (286) +3
North (450) +9
Hosp/icu 100/31 (104/28)
LTC (31/4) 33/4
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Dr henry saying we are having this abbreviated update today on a Saturday because of steady, worrisome increase in serious illness.
Number of work places have had accelerated transmissions
fish and food
retail
car dealerships
indoor physical activity
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Dr Henry says we want to keep as much as we can going - essential things like work and school is in jeopardy.
Must take urgent and focused actions in @VCHhealthcare and @Fraserhealth
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BREAKING - Regional orders @VCHhealthcare and @Fraserhealth starting tonight for two weeks in these areas where social activities must be curtailed, safety plans must be adhered to
1 social gatherings
2 travel
3 group indoor activity
4 work places
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Breaking order details
Social gathering - NONE of any size outside household
Funerals & wedding with immediate household but no receptions with those outside your home.
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Breaking order details
Travel into and out of @Fraserhealth and @VCHhealthcare should only be necessary.
No travel for sports in or out of region at all
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Breaking order details
for indoor activity in @Fraserhealth and @VCHhealthcare
indoor sports activities suspended temporarily including:
spin, yoga, dance, any other group sport activity
No indoor practises or games
No spectators
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Breaking order details
for work places in @Fraserhealth and @VCHhealthcare
they must review safety plans, ensure adherence
ensure daily health checks
if you can't maintain it businesses must shut down
If restaurants can't must do just takeout
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Work places in @Fraserhealth & @VCHhealthcare cont
going back to supporting ppl working from home if possible
bylaw officers are stepping up inspections & enforcement
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NEW - BREAKING:
party buses, limos are ordered to stop operating until further notice effective immediately
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Re sports and physical activity businesses -- Dr Henry says knows many have put in protections but looking at new information from around the work and in some/many cases additional precautions are necessary and with some activities there is no safe way
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Note that while Dr Henry is curtailing group physical activity indoors across @Fraserhealth and @VCHhealthcare, this does not apply to activities within schools (this will have many parents concerned and frustrated)
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Health Minister @adriandix says one more person died of #covid19 over night.
This brings BC's total deaths from the virus to 276.
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Health min @adriandix says while number of people seriously ill is below peak of hospitalizations over the pandemic and still well within what heath can handle it is too high.
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Need urgent and focused action now to bring cases down in @VCHhealthcare & @Fraserhealth @adriandix says.
Mentions concern that if our health care workers are ill it means the health care system can't do what we need them to.
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The virus does not follow geographical boundiaries.
Finally to those outside @VCHhealthcare & @Fraserhealth @adriandix says we have more cases in other regions - outbreaks can and have happened. Follow guidance and orders everyone. "Full on, full in"
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Clarification orders are regional in effect in @VCHhealthcare & @Fraserhealth
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Q is growth now exponential when it was linear?
Dr H - that is exactly the reason we're here. Was linear growth for a while but exponential in last two weeks in @VCHhealthcare & @Fraserhealth regions.
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Q number being monitored/isolated - can we keep up (or wil we have to stop like AB)
Dr H - this is why we are taking action today. Have been/are able to keep up with tracing and case management. There is now community transmission that can be rapid.
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Yes still doing tracing and management of every single cases Dr H says but we have to get the numbers down and transmissions down - esp in
@VCHhealthcare & @Fraserhealth
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ACK Dr H Phone feed just cut off
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Phone feed is off!!!
@VCHhealthcare & @Fraserhealth @adriandix
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the amazing technical folks working on the phone feed!
#bcpoli @NEWS1130 #covid19

Q Regional approach - why not just doprovincial?
Dr H - have had ongoing discussions - there are some across prov like social gatherings at homes (household plus *max* safe 6) - not seeing rapid increases like
@VCHhealthcare & @Fraserhealth
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Dr H says there is a lot of movement of ppl between @VCHhealthcare & @Fraserhealth and that needs most focus - doesn't mean other areas can ease off.
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Why are certain areas omitted from these regional orders?
Dr H says Bella Coola valley & (I think) sunshine coast are geographically separate and receive support from areas outside of the health regions. Also haven't seen cases increase in those areas
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RE meeting between prov & community leaders
@adriandix says he's met with dozens of communities and leaders in communities recently to learn how to better communicate #covid19 orders and plans - new campaigns starting Monday.
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The major parts of the regional orders out today:
No travel in or out of @Fraserhealth & @VCHhealthcare that isn't essential
No one inside your home except those who live there in @Fraserhealth & @VCHhealthcare
Indoor physical group activity halted
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Q can schools con't to run with 400+ cases/day in @Fraserhealth
Dr Henry says schools are what we want to protect to keep operating.
Have NOT seen a lot of transmissions in schools. They aren't amplifying but reflecting what's happening in community
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Q minor indoor hockey - can it continue?
Dr H: Looking at sports teams
Need to take a pause in this region right now.
No games with teams from diff regions
Take a step back and make sure they can do this safely.
(don't know if this is yes of no?)
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Dr H: For next two weeks
no travel for games - keeping kids active in safe way
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Q for ppl who live alone can they see others in their safe six even if they don't live in their home?
Dr H -- yes in this case you can have those very few, one or two people - in your bubble. But stick to them - stick solely with eachother.
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Re concerns about social isolation - @adriandix says this is a two week period. And do what you can to reach out to people who could be feeling isolated - pick up the phone, get on face time.
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Q other places have closed borders or use tracing apps - are those being considered here
Dr H - we know what measures work and have worked here. Have watched what has happened in Australia -says easier if an island (many on Van Isle shouting - US!)
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Re apps - like in Korea -- not tracing but notification app - the way processes are working here don't feel that would be helpful now but are leaving the door open.
Right now we need to follow the measures we have
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Is it a recommendation or order to stay in @Fraserhealth / @VCHhealthcare --
Dr H says it is a recommendation in the strongest possible way. Risk travels with you.
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How will household restrictions be enforced.
Dr H - These are the rules - we know ppl understand and for the most part follow them. We can enforce with bylaw officers but doesn't believe will be largely needed.
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Q re race based data. when will we see it? what's being doing?
Dr H says indigenous data's been focus of that data . working with feds on how how to gather race based data.- don't have capacity now to add but will be able to be done retroactively
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Q clarification on orders
gyms - just indoor sport? Where there's adequate space is ok. It's the group indoor sports that's an issue. For some the group classes are their only model. Individual is ok.
Sports teams - restrictions on travel for all teams
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QChurches - can they meet?
Dr H - 50 person limit with distancing and all other precautions remain in place. So if have solid safety plan being followed, yes.
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Q grandparent caring for grandkids, day care can they?
That's fine -- applies to social gatherings.
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Q can ppl come from out
No have not had restrictions on ppl coming in and out of BC.
Asking those from away to not come unless it's essential travel.
Cases are booming everywhere except atlantic provinces.
Asking those in the regions to stay put
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How do social gatherings in restaurants and outside home work?
Dr H says restaurant restrictions remain and haven't seen transmissions. But now with cases so high rules must be adhered to completely - inspectors will be checking and "cracking down"
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And social gatherings outside of homes?
dr H - Parties, events for the next two weeks -- those are not to happen.
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For indoor gyms with group activities .when can they start up again?
Dr H - soonest a week. says some spin co have barriers, only having cohorts, or outside are ok. Some dance studios have v safe protocols. Process now ensuring what works, what doesn't.
#bcpoli @NEWS1130 #covid19