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COVID-19 regional snapshot for April 27
NEW provincial updates surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic (as of 3 p.m. PDT on Monday, April 27)
Cases:
Total confirmed cases in B.C. (since January): 1,998
New cases since Saturday, April 25: 50
Hospitalized cases: 97
Intensive Care: 36
COVID-19 related deaths: 103
Recovered: 1,190
Long term care/assisted living homes affected: 20
Acute-care unit outbreaks: 3
Confirmed cases by region:
Vancouver Coastal Health: 795
Fraser Health: 879
Island Health: 117
Interior Health: 164
Northern Health: 43
NEW Provincial Updates
Eleven people in B.C. have tested positive in connection to the Kearl Lake camp in Alberta. Anyone who has been in Kearl Lake since March 24, or is a close contact of a worker and who has symptoms of COVID-19, is required to immediately self-isolate and contact 811 or public health for assessment and testing.
The number of cases in BC is starting to go down, as many of the positives are connected to known outbreaks. Between Sunday and today, there were 11 positive tests, and Dr. Henry said this is a “really positive sign.”
While BC is making plans to ease restrictions, the Province has been firm that it will be introducing a “made-in-BC” solution that meets the conditions in BC and that includes a consistent framework across all sectors. It will still be several days yet before details on the next phase will be announced.
The Province is doubling this year’s funding for Family Caregivers of British Columbia to $1 million. This funding will allow Family Caregivers of B.C. to enhance services during the pandemic, so caregivers get the increased support they need to help seniors remain at home, such as expanded toll-free support line hours, emotional supports and health-care navigation. Seniors and people who are caring for elderly loved ones, family or friends in need of supports can call 211.
Individuals experiencing gender-based violence, Indigenous communities healing from intergenerational traumas, and communities and families dealing with gun and gang violence will benefit from $11.8 million in grants to support community-based crime prevention and remediation initiatives. In total, 267 projects will receive a one-time grant.
Students from the LGBTQ2S+ community have more virtual opportunities to connect with each other as B.C.’s Gay-Straight or Gender & Sexuality Alliance meet-ups will be held virtually rather than in person.
NEW FEDERAL Updates
As of 7:01 EDT today, 737,705 Canadians have been tested. There have been 48,489 positive cases and 2,707 COVID-19 related deaths.
The Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy application portal is now open. The first payments are expected to arrive on May 7. Under the program, applicants have to confirm monthly that they are still eligible to receive funding.
A customized crisis texting service was introduced today for the 78,000 children and youth of Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members to provide 24/7 free, confidential, mental health and wellbeing support.
The Governments of Canada and Manitoba have announced a total of $160,000 through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership to Direct Farm Manitoba to purchase a software platform that will allow Manitobans to order food online from local producers and farmers’ markets.
Physical Distancing reminders:
Minimize close contact with others.
Stay two metres (six feet) apart from others outside our homes.
NO group activities (like youth or adults getting together).
Go outside and get fresh air. Just make sure you are keeping a safe distance from others while doing so.
Stay home and avoid all non-essential travel.
EXPANDED TESTING IN INTERIOR HEALTH
The province announced last week that it is expanding it’s COVID-19 testing strategy to include anyone with cold, influenza or COVID-19 like symptoms, even if they are mild. Testing is not recommended for people without symptoms.
Interior Health has 14 testing and assessment centres located across the health authority, including in Cranbrook, Sparwood, and Golden.
Testing at these centres is by appointment. Anyone who needs a test should call their primary care provider or the closest Interior Health community testing and assessment centre directly to arrange a test.
More information, including the contact information for each of the centres in IH and how to obtain your results, is available on their website.
I CAN RECYCLE THAT? Who Knew!
Recognizing there are many people who are home more than usual currently, Recycle BC is doing a “Recycling Home Tour.” Each day, there will be a room-by-room and item-by-item tour through your home helping to identify the biggest packaging and paper recycling opportunities. Take the tour.
Recycle BC is an extended producer program in BC aimed at printed paper and packaging materials. It is TOTALLY separate from the yellow bin program or curbside programs in Invermere and Fernie. There are now Recycle BC Depots open at all RDEK staffed transfer stations and at the Columbia Valley Landfill.
Learn more, or download local Recycle BC brochures or recycling guides.
WHITE HEART CAMPAIGN
The East Kootenay Foundation for Health (EKFH)has launched the White Heart Project – and is inviting all East Kootenay residents to take part.
You can show your appreciation to healthcare workers throughout the region during the COVID-19 crisis by sending your words of gratitude using a form on the EKFH website.
You can fill out a simple online form to submit words of thanks to the healthcare team at the facility of your choice in the East Kootenay. Those messages will then be added to white hearts and displayed within the hospital or care home for healthcare workers to read.
In addition, you can download the EKFH signature White Heart and add your own message of gratitude, then post it on your door or share in a social media post to show our doctors, nurses and all who work in healthcare how grateful we all are.
THREE CHEERS!
Three cheers to the 100+ local volunteers in the Columbia Valley sewing cloth masks. Over 1,500 masks have been distributed to local grocery stores, pharmacies and residents. 750 masks were made in Fairmont Hot Springs alone!
A shout out to the Province of Alberta for donating millions of masks, goggles, gloves and PPE to BC, Quebec and Ontario and 25 ventilators to Quebec.
NO BURNING
A reminder that most outdoor burning is banned across the East Kootenay, including: Category 2 and 3 open fires; Resource Management open fires; the use of fireworks burn barrels.
Campfires (0.5m x 0.5m) are allowed at this time; however, are not permitted in the Cities of Kimberley and Fernie.
To learn more visit: www.bcwildfire.ca
RDEK
