SENT TO ALL STAFF, MEDICAL STAFF, STUDENTS AND VOLUNTEERS ON BEHALF OF KATHY MACNEIL, PRESIDENT & CEO – AND DR. RICHARD STANWICK, CHIEF MEDICAL HEALTH OFFICER
Last night onCTV Vancouver Island, or this morning in theVictoria Times-Colonist, you may have watched or read about a member of the Island Health family – Lise Berube, a Consultant in our Quality Portfolio. Lise has stage-four cancer and recently completed five rounds of radiation . . . and decided it was time to tackle her first marathon. As large group activities including marathons are not occurring due to B.C.’s physical distancing direction, and after some personal reflection, Lise and a good friend ran a self-organized marathon yesterday around Elk and Beaver Lake in Victoria.
If the self-fulfillment of completing her first marathon wasn’t enough, Lise used this opportunity to raise funds for theCallanish Society, a BC based non-profit that supports people living with and dying with cancer. Her initial goal of $4,200 was passed quite quickly, so she set herself another goal – to raise $42,000. As reported in the Times-Colonist today, over $30,000 had been raised by the time she completed the marathon yesterday.
Each and every day we are inspired by members of the Island Health family – for their energy and positivity in the workplace and in their community – especially when they are faced with incredible challenges. During the COVID-19 pandemic it is easy for our minds to go to a place of worry and concern as there are so many unknowns in our professional and personal lives. That is understandable. Today, if you are feeling down or holding worry or concern, we encourage you to watch and read the stories linked above. Energy and positivity can come in many forms, and we are so privileged to have Island Health family members like Lise Berube who are a bright ray of sunshine breaking through what may be a cloudy, rainy day for you on a personal front.
PROVINCIAL DAILY UPDATE
Today Dr. Henry announced 26 new COVID-19 confirmed cases across B.C. for a total of 2,171 cases, with 1,376 no longer having to practice isolation measures. Unfortunately, two additional people have died from COVID-19 in the Lower Mainland for a total now of 114 people in B.C.
At Island Health, we have 123 confirmed COVID-19 confirmed cases – an increase of two from yesterday. We have just three patients in hospital, with one of those in intensive care. 101 people no longer have to practice isolation measures. We only have 15 active cases remaining in self-isolating in the community – down from 28 just five days ago and a high of 42 at the end of March. To all members of the Island Health family who supported these individuals through their self-isolation period we thank you.
Read thestatementand thetranscript of the news conference.
MOVING FORWARD DURING UNCERTAIN TIMES
On Monday afternoon, Dr. Henry and Minister Dix will release updated modelling which will help inform government as it considers a phased-in approach towards a new normal – for health-care services, other public services, and the economy. Premier Horgan will share more details on these fronts next Wednesday. Like you, we are very much looking forward to hearing more next week from our government.
As government considers how to move forward in a new normal, so are we at Island Health. In our end of day message last Tuesday we shared some information with you on next steps in key areas of focus, including public health. Yesterday the Public Health Emergency Operations Centre members met virtually to plan the next immediate steps and for the months ahead. They committed themselves to meet people where they are at – virtually and by reaching out into communities – with tools to keep people healthy and connected, and to ensure no one is left behind. They discussed how the role of public health in pandemic planning and management must be maintained and sustained. Just like all of our programs, public health teams also want to build on solutions that are emerging from the pandemic response. It has never been more important to renew our efforts to promote good health, prevent disease, address health inequities and reduce demand on health systems through fostering a healthier population.
CONCLUSION
Earlier this week, a family member of a community care client shared her appreciation for Community Health Workers and we would like to share it with you today.
“I am hoping you can share the first names of [my aunt’s] Community Health Workers so I can write a personal thank you note to everyone who cared for her. It was her wish to remain at home for as long as possible, and with your help, she was able to do so for 8 weeks.
As her cancer progressed, so did the pandemic, but the care did not diminish. Every community health worker was outstanding. Each of you honoured her humanity and engaged her in conversation while sharing your individual personalities and helping us with tasks which allowed her to maintain her dignity. Your kindness and professionalism did not go unnoticed.
在她的早期诊断,我的阿姨问me to purchase a box of thank you cards so she could write notes to people who were sending gifts and flowers. While she is no longer able to write them herself, there are just enough cards left for each of her care workers. I’m certain she would want you to know your care was the gift that allowed her to remain safe in her home.”
的成员之间的人际关系land Health family and those we are privileged to serve are among the most important connections people will have in their lives. To our Community Health Workers, and all health-care workers that support clients in their homes – thank you!
Our continued gratitude and appreciation,
~ Kathy and Richard
Stay informed:
- Visit Island Health's ‘source of truth,’COVID-19 webpageon the Intranet.
- TheMedical Staff websitehas specific information for medical staff.
- Nurses and Nurse Practitioners of BC have resourceshere.
- We are also posting information for the public atislandhealth.ca/covid19and through our social media channels. We encourage you to follow/retweet/share BCCDC’s and Island Health’s posts.