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CEO & Chief MHO Joint Update: June 23, 2020

SENT TO ALL STAFF, MEDICAL STAFF, STUDENTS AND VOLUNTEERS ON BEHALF OF KATHY MACNEIL, PRESIDENT & CEO – AND DR. RICHARD STANWICK, CHIEF MEDICAL HEALTH OFFICER

Today marks the 100th pandemic media briefing from Dr. Bonnie Henry and Minister Adrian Dix – both a milestone in our journey and a testament to the transparency of our health system to all British Columbians so we can work together in our shared battle.

In addition to the regular reporting, they provided an update to B.C.’s COVID-19 modelling.Thematerials are available publiclyso all British Columbians can understand who has been affected by COVID-19, how public health is monitoring and contact tracing the virus, and how the provincial government is using this information to inform B.C.’s plan for a thoughtful and careful approach as we continue to move forward together.

Dr. Henry began today’s presentation discussing the epidemiology of COVID-19 in B.C. She noted the modeling includes epi-linked cases, geographic distribution, and sources of infection. Although we see higher rates of new infections in the Lower Mainland, there are still newly diagnosed individuals throughout B.C. – including the one additional individual in Island Health yesterday. B.C.’s understanding of origination of new infections has increased significantly. In March, we saw larger numbers of cases with unknown sources of infection. Over the last three months, we have been able to identify where most cases are originating. This is a good sign we continue to do the right things in B.C. to monitor, manage and mitigate infection rates.

In B.C., we continue to have low rates in comparison to other jurisdictions. B.C. has a very low rate of confirmed cases per million population compared to other provinces and other countries. In Canada, we are seeing other provinces – notably Quebec and Ontario - beginning to level off. However, internationally we are still seeing rates continue to climb in the US, Sweden, Brazil.

Dr. Henry shared that the public health lab at the BCCDC has been working on a way to monitor wastewater as an indicator of when the virus is in our community. Other areas of the world including the Netherlands, Finland, Germany, and most recently Italy, have done similar testing and found COVID RNA in wastewater samples in December and January, indicating there was likely circulation prior to COVID-19 being recognized in those countries. Testing has been happening in the Lower Mainland over the past five weeks and found no positives, which reflects the comparatively low levels of transmission in the community. We will continue to use this additional method in the coming months, particularly in smaller communities, to help us better understand risk.

Mobility measurements confirm we are expanding our bubbles and networks; and are gradually increasing our activities in communities. While we expand, we continue to remain at lower than seasonal norms. Our contacts rates have gone up to around 60-65% of normal rates from a low of 30%. As of right now we may be at a point of balance – we are expanding both socially and economically – while not seeing rising rates of infections and hospitalizations. Dr. Henry stressed we need to keep our contact rates where they are now to avoid seeing a spike in cases. Right now, you are doing what you need to be doing to keep transmissions low. Keep up the great work in leading by example for your neighbours and your community.

The modelling data shows even as we have more safe contacts we are maintaining the public health best practices including staying home when we are ill, maintaining safe distances, practicing hand hygiene and adhering to the safe measures we have put in place. In support of our work as individuals in this battle, our public health teams continue to undertake contact tracing. As we expand, it is important we knowwhowe have come in contact with to provide to public health if there is a case. In B.C., we have been able trace the virus in 97-99% of contacts within 24 hours. Our thanks to our public health teams for this critical work in keeping our population, health-care system and health-care workers safe.

Tomorrow, Premier Horgan will provide an update on how B.C. will move forward. Those plans will be informed by the modelling released today and the principles outlined by Minister Dix and Dr. Henry, which you can find in their这里的联合声明. You can view the presentationhereand atranscript of the news conference here.

PROVINCIAL UPDATE

Provincial update for June 23 (24 hour period):

  • 13 people with newly-confirmed COVID-19 for a total of 2,835 people
  • One new death today, in a long term care home in the Lower Mainland for a total of 170 COVID-19 related deaths in B.C.
  • 16 people in hospital, with 7 in critical or intensive care
  • 174 people with active COVID-19 in B.C.
  • 2,491 people have recovered and are no longer at risk of transmitting the virus

Island Health Update:

More information:

Please note: joint statements and transcripts of media availabilities with Dr. Henry and Minister Dix are posted as soon as they are available on ourCOVID-19 Intranet sitein the What’s New section.

CONCLUSION

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We want to end today with a message about a passionate group of COVID Resource Coaches working to protect long-term care residents and staff across Island Health. This team provides Island Health owned and operated, affiliate and private sites with the information they need to safely protect the people they care for and each other.

Learn more about this teamwho quickly came together to fill the need for timely and consistent information in long-term care homes early in our response to the pandemic. LTC sites flooded the coaches with questions to understand the guidelines and to ensure they were doing everything possible to protect their residents. Coaches were welcomed and their role expanded to support private facilities and some MHSU sites.

COVID is new to even the most seasoned and experienced care worker and the questions and conversations have provided a venue to provide guidance and reassurance that they are doing the right things to respond. It is no accident we have no LTC cases in this region to-date. These incredible coaches, the staff and medical staff at sites, the greeters and every person who helps to clarify, share resources and have open conversations continue to contribute to our response.

Today, we are sending a special shout out to each of you performing this vitally important role. You truly are health care heroes.

Our continued gratitude and appreciation,

~ Kathy and Richard

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