But Will Moderate Rise Of New Cases And More Deaths Mean Continued Lockdown Till End Of April?

Talk of the End Game regarding COVID-19 restrictions has begun with government and health officials telling British Columbians when we can go back to a version of our normal lives. Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said this week that officials are in the process of determining what conditions would need to be met before they could lift some of the rules which have restricted millions of people across BC to their homes.

By PD Raj – Senior Writer DESIBUZZCanada

VICTORIA – Talk of the End Game regarding COVID-19 restrictions has begun with government and health officials telling British Columbians when we can go back to a version of our normal lives.

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said this week that officials are in the process of determining what conditions would need to be met before they could lift some of the rules which have restricted millions of people across BC to their homes.

PHOTO By R. Paul Dhillon

"Those plans and the conditions are still being worked out," Henry added. "I will tell you there are a number of things we're looking at, that we've been monitoring, including some of the modelling and I'll be looking to share that with you probably next week."

And despite the signs that B.C. could be "bending its curve" – the province has stayed below 500 active cases since March 27 – officials have repeatedly stressed that it is far too early to stop taking the threat of the virus seriously.

While our current version of a lockdown or restrictions can’t go till summer as it has been suggested but some of the restrictions could be eased at the end of April or early May to see how we are coping and if we continue to do well then we could go back to our normal sooner than later.

Health Minister Adrian Dix and Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.'s provincial health officer, announced 45 new cases Wednesday, for a total of 1,336 cases in British Columbia.

"Every health region in British Columbia has patients with COVID-19: 615 are in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, 487 are in the Fraser Health region, 81 are in the Island Health region, 130 are in the Interior Health region and 23 are in the Northern Health region,” they said.

"We are saddened to report a further five COVID-19 related deaths in the Vancouver Coastal and Fraser health regions for a total of 48 deaths in British Columbia. We offer our condolences to everyone who has lost their loved ones.

"There have been no new long-term care facility outbreaks in the last day. Vancouver Coastal and Fraser health teams continue to provide support to the affected long-term care and assisted-living facilities, which have a combined 226 cases of COVID-19.

"To date, 838 people who had tested positive for COVID-19 have recovered and no longer require isolation.

"Of the total COVID-19 cases, 135 individuals are hospitalized and 61 of those are in intensive care. The remaining people with COVID-19 are recovering at home in self-isolation.

"Flattening the curve is about following the orders and restrictions in place, and equally important, supporting others to make it easy for them to do the same.

"Right now, it is critical to stay strong in our commitment to protect our province. We cannot allow for gaps that could set back all the positive efforts we have made so far.

"The new requirement for returning travellers to have an approved self-isolation plan is one more tool to help make that happen.

"We thank the many volunteer organizations and public servants who have stepped up to enable this important action. Teams will be connecting with travellers at borders and while self-isolating to ensure they have the necessary support that may be required.

"All of us need to avoid unnecessary travel, particularly to smaller communities where there are fewer health resources. While many of us have family and friends in Alberta, we must not travel to visit them this long weekend. We need to make the choice to protect our friends and family by staying home and finding virtual ways to connect. Consider the significant impact one step in the wrong direction could have on all of us.

"Let's bend the curve, not the rules and stay safe."

B.C. COVID-19 Response Update

Cases:

* Total confirmed cases in B.C.: 1,336

* New cases since April 7, 2020: 45

* Hospitalized cases: 135

* Intensive care: 61

* COVID-19 related deaths: 48

* Recovered: 838

* Long term care and assisted living homes currently affected: 21

Confirmed cases by region:

* Vancouver Coastal Health: 615

* Fraser Health: 487

* Island Health: 81

* Interior Health: 130

* Northern Health: 23

New provincial advice and measures:

* NEW: New measures support returning British Columbians, boost response to COVID-19:

https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020PREM0019-000657

* NEW: Mitzi Dean, Parliamentary Secretary for Gender Equity, has issued the following statement about the Province's support for women and children experiencing violence during the COVID-19 pandemic: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020FIN0020-000656

* NEW: Families throughout B.C. to benefit from enhanced digital library services:

https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020EDUC0019-000652

* NEW: Civil Resolution Tribunal extends deadlines, waives fees for those struggling financially during pandemic:

https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020AG0030-000651

* NEW: B.C. government is providing a new Emergency Relief Support Fund and has added service flexibility for parents of children with special needs to help during the COVID-19 pandemic: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020CFD0043-000650

* NEW: B.C. government is restricting camping and motorized recreation (including the use of off-road vehicles) throughout the entire Koocanusa Recreation Strategy area this spring and summer: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020FLNR0019-000647

  • NEW: BC Parks is immediately closing all provincial parks in response to the widespread call for increased action to address COVID-19: