NEW updates surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic (as of Monday, May 4), as compiled by the Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK).

Current Situation in B.C. (as of 3 pm PDT May 4)

Cases:

Total confirmed cases in B.C. (since January): 2,224

New cases since Saturday, May 2: 53

Hospitalized cases:  77

Intensive Care:  20

COVID-19 related deaths: 117

Recovered: 1,417

Long term care/assisted living homes affected: 19

Acute-care unit outbreaks: 3

Confirmed cases by region:

Vancouver Coastal Health: 845

Fraser Health: 1,027

Island Health: 124

Interior Health: 177

Northern Health: 51

NEW Provincial Updates

Premier John Horgan will join Dr. Bonnie Henry and Minister Adrian Dix on Wednesday afternoon to present B.C.’s “Go Forward Plan.”

While 15 people directly from the Kearl Lake camp in Alberta have tested positive, additional family members are now testing positive.

There are seven confirmed cases at Fraser Valley Specialty Poultry, 54 at Superior Poultry and 35 at United Poultry in the Lower Mainland.

There are 121 inmates and 13 staff (134 total) confirmed positive at the Mission Institution federal correctional centre.

Until there is a vaccine, COVID-19 is going to be in B.C. and we will be under a ‘new normal’ that protects our health, well-being and health-care system; creates opportunities for increased social interaction; and, allows for the rebuilding of our economy with the cautious easing of restrictions.  It will be based on principles that apply to every person and situation and will remain in place in the weeks and months ahead.

To ease financial hardship on businesses and to keep employees connected with their jobs, the province has extended the temporary layoff period to 16 weeks for COVID-19 related reasons.  Previously, a temporary layoff longer than 13 weeks in any 20-week period was considered a permanent layoff.

The BC government is deferring stumpage fees for three months to help people, communities and forest companies. Stumpage, is the fee operators pay the Province to harvest, buy or sell trees from Crown land.

On June 1, BC Transit will be enhancing safety measures for its transit systems that will allow for a return to front door loading and collection of fares in all BC Transit communities. With the change, fares will be collected on conventional, community, and handyDART services.  Until June 1, rear door loading (where applicable) will continue and no fares will be charged.

GUIDING PRINCIPLES FOR B.C.’S “GO FORWARD PLAN”

Staying informed, being prepared and following public health advice;

Practicing good hygiene – hand hygiene, avoid touching your face and respiratory etiquette;

Staying at home and away from others if you are feeling ill;

Maintaining physical distancing outside the household. NO handshakes or hugs, keeping your number of contacts low and keeping a safe distance;

Making necessary contacts safer such as using plexiglass barriers or redesigning spaces;

Increasing cleaning of frequently touched surfaces at home and work;

Considering the use of non-medical masks in situations where physical distancing cannot be maintained, such as on transit or shopping; and

Continuing to reduce personal non-essential travel.

GOALS FOR B.C.’S “GO FORWARD PLAN”

BC must find the right balance to:

Protect lives by suppressing transmission to the lowest rate for at-risk populations.

Ensure the health system has capacity to offer quality care to both non-COVID-19 and COVID-19 patients.

Meet the physical and mental health challenges that come with restricting social interaction.

Rebuild a resilient economy and provide supports for people to safely return to work.

Strengthen the social fabric of our families and communities.

NEW FEDERAL Updates

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau joined other global leaders today to launch the Coronavirus Global Response, an online pledging event to raise more than $8 billion (USD) to help researchers and innovators develop solutions to test, treat, and protect people, and to prevent the further spread of COVID-19.

The Minister of Public Services and Procurement, announced the creation of the  COVID-19 Supply Council which will bring together a diverse group of leaders to provide the government with advice on the procurement of critical goods and services required as part of Canada’s COVID-19 response and recovery.

The Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, announced $175.6 million in funding to AbCellera Biologics, a Canadian biotechnology company that researches and discovers next-generation antibody drugs to fight infection and disease. This contribution is part of Canada’s Plan to Mobilize Science to fight COVID-19

RESOURCES

Phone Numbers:

888-COVID19 (1-888-268-4319). Non-health COVID-19 information. Open seven days/week, from 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. MST

811 – dial 811 for health related information on COVID-19

211 – seniors looking for help (or volunteers willing to help), can call 211 or visit: http://www.bc211.ca/

Crisis Line: 1.888.353.2273 – free, anonymous support

Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868

Online Links:

COVID-19 Self Assessment Tool & App – use this online tool to complete a self-assessment & get updates.

BC Centre for Disease Control – includes information on their testing protocols.

BC COVID-19 Dashboard – a great source for up-to-date information and statistics.

Interior Health – links to the latest Interior Health information.

Government of Canada – statistics, travel info and economic and financial supports available federally.

Province of BC Information Hub – (info on childcare, travel,employee/employer resources, business support)

Link to Alberta COVID-19 Information / Statistics:

COVID-19 Info for Albertans: https://www.alberta.ca/coronavirus-info-for-albertans.aspx

RDEK

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