130 religious leaders agree to cancel traditional gatherings
Upcoming days would normally see major faiths celebrate key rites
The provincial government’s COVID-19 leadership met virtually with 130 religious leaders on Tuesday to ensure there were no gatherings planned for upcoming Sikh, Hindu, Christian, Jewish and Buddhist celebrations.
B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix said that he, Premier John Horgan and the provincial health officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, were involved in the meeting, discussing five religious celebrations over the next six days, which all involve traditional social gatherings.
Dix said the religions leaders promised to support the government’s efforts and abide by the ban on gatherings of more than 50 people.
“Certainly we said it on the call — and faith leaders said it as well on the call — that there has never been a time when we have to reach out to one another more virtually, to touch base with each other more on the phone or through the internet or through FaceTime or whatever that might be.
“In this time of major religious events … people need to not come together in large groups, and certainly not to come together inside, even in smaller groups.”
Henry added that any social gathering — indoors or outdoors — was a problem and also warned against travelling over the coming long weekend.
“We need to avoid all non-essential travel and it’s important we not go to communities where they might not have the resources to support us if we become sick or if there is a medical emergency,” Henry said.
“While we have an order prohibiting gatherings of more than 50, right now when we know that this virus continues to circulate in our communities. Coming together even in small groups can be problematic.”
On Tuesday, Henry reported that the number of COVID-19 patients in hospital in B.C. had fallen slightly, to 138 — including six fewer in acute care. There were four deaths between noon Monday and noon Tuesday, up to 43, and there were currently 443 active cases, including 25 reported over the past day, mostly recovering at home.
There have been two home deaths and one health-care worker has died.
Henry confirmed that there were small clusters of COVID-19 patients in group homes in B.C.
There have been 23 COVID-19 outbreaks in longterm care or assisted living homes, the worst being the Lynn Valley Care Centre. Henry said that 213 people in long-term care had tested positive, including 81 staff.
There were active cases in prisons in Mission and Kelowna.
Dix said there were 4,549 COVID-19 hospital beds available and that 56 doctors and 880 nurses of all kinds had rejoined the health care system.
“We have made very significant steps to prepare for the worst,” Dix said, adding that two large shipments of personal protective equipment had arrived in the past three days and were being tested.
Dix said there was some evidence B.C.’s COVID-19 strategy was working and called for renewed efforts.
“When there is some evidence we are ‘flattening the curve,’ we need to double down now. Let’s bend the curve, not the rules, this weekend,” he said.