B.C. Covid update: ‘Made in B.C.’ plan to reopen economy to be outlined in ‘a few days’

Apr 27, 2020 | 3:45 PM

British Columbia’s provincial health officer says residents can expect to hear more about plans to reopen the economy in the coming days.

Dr. Bonnie Henry had a more positive tone about the recent Covid-19 case numbers at Monday’s update, after 50 new cases and three more deaths since Saturday.

“You can see from these numbers, despite the numerous outbreaks in our communities, it’s clear evidence that our sustained efforts to follow public health efforts are working in B.C., that safe distancing and self isolation requirements have slowed the rate of transmission and we’re now seeing a decrease in numbers,” said Henry.

Henry said their increased surveillance testing has allowed them to find people in communities who are positive for Covid-19 and the vast majority are linked to known outbreaks.

“Which is an important thing for us to understand so that we know where transmission is happening in our community.

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Henry said B.C. is getting close to the time when we can “open-up,” or relax some restrictions.

“We are now making plans to ease these restrictions with an understanding of what we may face in the coming months,” said Henry.

Henry said businesses will have to safely protect their employees at work, and ensure people are not penalized by staying home when they are ill.

“That is going to be so critical for all of us in the coming months.”

The provincial health officer said a “made in B.C. plan’ for reopening the economy at a provincial level is being formulated.

“So please wait a few more days and we will be sharing all the detailed information in the coming days.”

Health Minister Adrian Dix says they are dealing with a challenge “they have never faced before” of coming out of a period where human activity has been constrained, to protect one another.

“We’re going to continue to pursue a made in B.C. approach while working with our national partners and other jurisdictions,” said Dix.

Henry is not ready to speculate on a possible reopening of schools.

“We’ve been working with Education Ministry on a “rational plan” for what were planning on doing in coming days or weeks, but we don’t have a date.”

Henry said the wearing of masks could be considered for places where physical distancing can’t be maintained.

BC Covid-19 update for Monday April 27 at 3 p.m.:

New cases: from Saturday to Sunday; 39; from Sunday and to Monday: 11 (50 total)

Total cases: 1,998

795 cases are in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, 879 are in the Fraser Health region, 117 are in the Island Health region, 164 are in the Interior Health region (4 more since Saturday) and 43 are in the Northern Health region

97 people are in hospital with 36 in ICU

Three more deaths with total now 103

1,190 people have fully recovered

Two new care home outbreak in Fraser Health with one case identified,bringing the total to 21 outbreks at care homes.

Community outbreaks:

Superior Poultry: 25 positive cases

United Poultry: 34 cases

Mission federal institution: 118 cases (106 inmates, 12 staff)

11 positive cases of people in B.C. associated with industrial project at Kearl Lake in Alberta.

by Pete McIntyre

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