Restrictions likely to last months, B.C. officials warn
The measures Canadians are taking to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus are here to stay, at least for a while, B.C.’s provincial health officer says.
Dr. Bonnie Henry said Tuesday that much of the world will need to continue implementing measures to slow the spread of COVID-19 and that health officials will have to “monitor and prevent transmission … until we have a vaccine.”
While some measures could be lifted in May or June, Henry said, it is not likely “that we are going to be able to get back to full normal life, which I miss a lot, before at least the summer — and then we need to start preparing ourselves for the potential second wave in the fall.”
In a public address to British Columbians on Tuesday evening, Premier John Horgan announced he was extending the province’s state of emergency in order to help officials address the impact of COVID-19 on the economy and health-care system.
“COVID-19 may be the biggest challenge our province has ever faced,” he said. “Tonight, I am asking you to recommit. Recommit to our health-care workers and recommit to each other. Stay home, stay safe, and we will bend this curve together.”
Earlier on Tuesday, Henry had confirmed that five more people had died in B.C. from COVID-19.
Four of the deaths were in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, and one was in the Fraser Health region, said Henry.
There were 43 new cases of coronavirus in B.C., bringing the total to 1,013 in the province. Of those cases, 507 have recovered.
Henry, who said last week that the province’s measures appeared to slowing down the spread of the disease, emphasized that the next two weeks are “critical” for residents. “We must be true to who we are in B.C.,” she said. “No one is immune to this virus, but everyone can make a difference.”
Health officials are dealing with outbreaks at 19 long-termcare or assisted-living homes in B.C., all in the Lower Mainland, said Henry. That was six more facilities than Monday. At least two have major outbreaks, she confirmed.