COVID-19
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British Columbia’s Current Province-Wide Orders
On Thursday, November 19th, British Columbia’s health officials – Dr. Bonnie Henry, Provincial Health Officer, alongside Adrian Dix, Minister of Health – announced new (and extended) orders in effort to curb the COVID-19 pandemic in our province. It was a lot of information to take it at once, nonetheless, so below we break down what some of these orders mean for British Columbians.
PROVINCE-WIDE RESTRICTIONS
Prior to Thursday’s announcements, many of the restrictions were limited to the Fraser Health and Vancouver Coastal Health regions where they were asked to significantly reduce their social interactions as well as travel. However, these restrictions are now Province-wide and will remain in effect until midnight on December 7th (with the possibility of being extended.)
SOCIAL RESTRICTIONS
It is ordered that British Columbians cannot have social gatherings of any size with anyone other than those already in their immediate household. This means that you should not invite any friends or extended family to your household – including hosting outdoor gatherings, meeting friends for coffee, as well as not having playdates for children. If you live alone, your core bubble can consist of no more than two people. They must be the same two people every time and should be people that you already regularly interacted with in-person prior to the pandemic.
WORKPLACES
Employers must ensure their workplaces review and keep up-to-date their COVID-19 Safety Plan. All employers must post their Safety Plan in the office, as well as post a copy of it on their website (if a website is available.) Employers must also ensure that all of their employees are conducting daily health checks before going to the office. If an employee has any symptoms of COVID-19, whether it’s cough, sore throat, or runny nose, they must stay home no matter how mild those symptoms. Physical distancing must be maintained in offices at all times, in all spaces.
Employers must also make working from home a possibility for their employees. Where there are employees already working from home, employers must immediately suspend their efforts to have those employees return to the office and allow their remote work to continue until at least the new year. “This will be reviewed early in January,” tweeted Health Minister Adrian Dix.
WorkSafe BC will also be increasing their inspections of workplaces. Any workplace found to be non-compliant of any of the orders set forth could be subjected to fines or ordered to close.
TRAVEL
All non-essential travel is to be avoided. This includes travel to and from regions within B.C., as well as travel in and out of the province. This means that you should not travel to go on vacation anywhere, nor should you travel to visit any friends or family outside of your immediate household. For example, as Dr. Bonnie Henry stated during her briefing, if you live in Victoria you should not be going to Tofino – and if you live in Vancouver, you should not be going to Whistler. As for what counts as travel that is considered essential, this would include regular travel for work (as long as it is within your region), as well as if you need to travel to and from medical appointments or if you have to go to the hospital. This type of essential travel is allowed.
FACE MASKS
Masks are now mandatory for everyone in all public indoor settings and workplaces (except for those who are exempt for medical reasons (including psychological), or are under the age of 12.) Examples of indoor public settings where masks are mandatory include malls/shopping centres, grocery stores, coffee shops, libraries, drug stores, clothing stores, liquor stores, community centres, recreation centres, restaurants and bars, and anywhere that is deemed a public place.
When it comes to wearing masks in workplaces, all employers must enforce the mandatory mask policy with both their employees as well as their customers. If you are sitting at your desk and are not next to anyone else, you do not have to wear a mask. However, when away from your desk and around others (for example, in hallways, stairways, breakrooms, elevators, or dealing with customers at a front counter), you are expected to wear a mask.
Remember, it’s important that everyone do their part and follow these orders to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Click here for a complete list of the Province-wide restrictions and orders issued by the PHO.
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Layers of Protection
When it comes to preventing the spread of viruses like the common cold or flu, we know that there are relatively easy measures to take to try to avoid getting sick – such as staying home when we’re unwell, avoiding contact with those who we know are sick, washing our hands, and so on and so forth. With COVID-19, all of these measures still apply in addition to a few others – but what are all the layers of protection we can take and how, exactly, do they protect us?
#1 – KEEPING YOUR DISTANCE
What we know about COVID-19 is that it is easily spread from person to person via respiratory droplets (i.e., by coughing, sneezing, and even talking) – particularly when you are in close contact with an infected individual. What you or the other individual may not know, however, is whether or not you have the virus, as it’s possible to be infected while asymptomatic. For this reason, it’s important that we practice physical distancing from others at all times by staying at least 2 metres (6 feet) apart. While it’s still possible to contract COVID-19 by having contact with others – we know that the further the distance, the lower the risk.#2 – WASHING YOUR HANDS
Washing your hands is something you should be going regardless of COVID-19. That being said, it’s an extra important measure to take amid the pandemic, and you should be doing so frequently. The method in which you wash your hands is also just as equally important. For example, you should be using warm soap and water, and scrubbing your hands together for at least 20 to 30 seconds. By doing this, you disrupt and inactivate the virus on the skin. If you don’t wash your hands, you could easily contract the virus simply by touching your face.If, for some reason, soap and water isn’t immediately available to you, then hand sanitizer is an alternative option for you to use – but you need to ensure that the sanitizer you use contains at least 60% alcohol (or higher.) While you don’t need to use an excessive amount of sanitizer in order for it to be effective, you should make sure you use enough so that it envelopes both hands – from the palms, to each finger, as well as the tops of your hands; and always be sure to still wash your hands as soon as you have the chance.
#3 – WEARING A FACE MASK
While one of the best ways to prevent the spread and contraction of the virus is to stay home, not everyone has the ability to do that. We also still need to go out and buy our everyday essentials (i.e., get groceries, pick up medications, etc.) While masks are not mandated in British Columbia, many businesses have implemented their own mask policies where they are a requirement prior to entry for both staff and customers. Furthermore, B.C.’s Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, has stated that it is the “expectation” that where masks (except in cases where a person may not be able to – i.e., if they have a disability that prevents them from being able to put on or remove a mask, etc.) Face masks are another important layer of protection that can help prevent the spread of droplets, and you can view an example of just how far droplets can spread with and without the use of face masks here.#4 – DAILY HEALTH CHECKS
As part of the updated Provincial health orders issued by Dr. Henry on November 7th, employers are required to have a COVID-19 safety plan, which also must include having their employees do daily health checks to ensure that they are not experiencing symptoms of COVID-19. These health checks are mandatory. If an employee is experiencing symptoms such as a cough, fever or chills, loss of sense of smell or taste, sore throat, loss of appetite, extreme fatigue, headache, body aches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or if they have travelled outside of Canada within the last 14 days, have been identified as being a close contact of someone with COVID-19, or were told to isolate by public health, then they should not be entering the workplace. Furthermore, Dr. Henry has also ordered that any employers that have employees who are considered high-risk for COVID-19 should allow them to work from home if feasible (i.e., if they were able to work from home previously.) Further information on how to conduct daily health checks can be found on WorkSafe BC’s website.#5 – STAYING HOME WHEN SICK
While we used to go places when we had mild forms of illness, that’s not something we should be doing given the COVID-19 pandemic. While you may not have COVID-19, its symptoms can mimic that of the common cold or flu – such as having a cough or fever. As such, if you are sick, and even if your symptoms are extremely mild, you need to stay home and away from others. It’s also recommended that anyone who is experiencing symptoms of illness be tested for COVID-19. You can find a COVID-19 testing centre in your area by clicking here. -
B.C. Now in Second Wave of COVID-19
Cases of COVID-19 are once again on the rise in British Columbia, which means a few things.
Firstly, it means that British Columbia is now into its second wave of COVID-19 – this per Dr. Bonnie Henry. It also means that we’re at a very critical time in terms of the approaching winter season and that we once again need to make major changes in terms of how we’re going about our daily lives – whether it’s socially, at school, or at work. In her latest news briefing, Dr. Henry pointed out that many of the latest transmissions of the virus are happening as a result of large gatherings – such as weddings and funerals – where there will be approximately 30 or 40 people in attendance, in addition to the arrival of extra unexpected guests, as well as trouble limiting the number of attendees and having safe social distancing measure. Events such as these involve interaction, which then leads to transmission of the virus. As a result, Dr. Henry says that there could be further restrictions imposed if things do not change – and, that it is important we stick to our “safe six” social bubble, and that we avoid switching up who is in said bubble.
Furthermore, Dr. Henry also went on to state that employers should be taking all precautions necessary to ensure their employees are safe – such as not having everyone in the office at one time, staggering breaks, ensuring social distancing and other measures are met (i.e. plexiglass dividers and cleaning stations), and, in situations where they have employees who are considered high-risk for COVID-19 (such as having an underlying medical condition that increases their risk of contracting the virus), that accommodations be made to allow those employees to work from home – which is something many offices had to do at the start of the pandemic, and may now need to revert back to temporarily.
Essentially, we all have to go back to basics and doing what we know works in order to keep ourselves and everyone around us as safe as possible, and to prevent the virus from getting out of control. That means not only following the aforementioned guidelines above, but also washing our hands regularly with soap and water (or using hand sanitizer in scenarios where soap and water isn’t readily available), disinfecting all high-touch areas, and only going out for essentials (i.e. groceries and medications.) Now is the time for everyone to work together to continue to eradicate COVID-19.
While no cases of influenza have been reported in British Columbia yet, it’s also important to take that extra precaution to prevent the spread of the flu by getting your flu vaccine, which can be booked with your physician’s office or pharmacy. You can also find out where the flu shot is available, as well as find more information on the benefits of the vaccine, by visiting Immunize BC’s website at www.immunizebc.ca.
To stay up-to-date on the latest COVID-19 data, visit www.bccdc.ca.
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Coping with COVID-19 and Anxiety
If you’ve noticed an increase in your anxiety levels as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, you’re not alone. It’s not uncommon to struggle during times of uncertainty and change, and you, like many others around the world, may be finding it difficult to cope. While life is uncertain in many different aspects, global pandemics and other world events can cause even greater uncertainty, which ultimately causes even greater anxiety in us than what we might normally be used to. The key is finding healthy, positive ways to cope with that anxiety – and, if you yourself aren’t feeling anxious but know someone who is, then it’s also important to be compassionate towards those who may be feeling overwhelmed.
Because we spend more time watching the news (or getting our news from social media), this can also cause an increase in anxiety. While it’s important to stay in the know in terms of what’s going on in the world, including news on COVID-19, you can also fall into something known as information overload – and, when our attention is drawn to something like COVID-19 for so long, we begin to focus on and think about it more, almost in a subconscious way. If you find that the news and/or social media has become too overwhelming for you, you don’t have to cut yourself off from it completely. You can, however, control how much time you spend watching television and on social media by limiting yourself. Many social media platforms also have the option to limit or block certain words or hashtags. So, if you don’t want to get as much information on COVID-19 on your timeline, you may want to temporarily add it to your list of blocked words, or only follow one or two reliable social media accounts for news on COVID-19 as opposed to several at once. On the other hand, because we’ve had to learn to socially distance and may not be able to have in-person get-togethers with friends and family for the time being, social media use has also increased significantly as more and more people are using it as a method of communication during this pandemic. Therefore, simply be mindful as to how much social media exposure you’re getting, and the kind of information you’re being subjected to and the fact that it could potentially be a contributor to your anxiety.
Similarly, even talking about COVID-19 constantly can sometimes be too much for people and cause an increase in anxiety. For example, if you’re on the phone with a friend, family member, or co-worker. To counteract this anxiety, try to avoid long discussions about it and let those you’re talking to know that the subject makes you uncomfortable. For all you know, they could even feel the same way. Instead, turn your conversations to positive topics of discussion.
Many people have also suffered job loss or financial hardships as a result of COVID-19. By March, the unemployment rate in the country jumped to 7.8% (from 2.2%), with more than one million Canadians losing their job as a direct result of the pandemic. Job loss can not only be difficult on you financially, as mentioned, but it can also cause a decline in both your physical and mental health, which can lead to other impacts – such as loss of motivation, loss of social contacts, and increased feelings of sadness and/or anger, and could even lead to depression. While coping with unemployment is hard, it’s important to remember the things you’re still in control of. It can also be helpful to set a budget for yourself and identify areas in which you may need to cut back on your spending. If you’re actively looking for a job and want to keep busy in-between work, this is also a positive thing as it can keep your mind from going to dark places. To stay engaged, you could sign up for volunteer work, look for freelance opportunities, or join free online courses. For help with your job search, you can find a list of available job opportunities via www.workbc.ca or www.jobbank.gc.ca.
While coping with anxiety may also sometimes feel embarrassing, it’s important to remember, as mentioned at the start of this article, that you’re not alone. It’s also important to know that help is out there if you need it, with various mental health resources available across Canada in addition to 24/7 help lines where you can be connected with someone one on one.
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Halloween and COVID-19
Any other year, Halloween would be a time for parties, paying visits to haunted houses, and going trick-or-treating with your friends. However, with Halloween just a few weeks away and COVID-19 still in our midst, many people are wondering exactly how they’re going to be able to safely go about navigating it without putting their health – or the health of others – at risk – and below you will find some helpful guidelines set out by the CDC.
Halloween Parties
First and foremost, you should skip attending a large Halloween party if you’re invited to one. Big indoor gatherings such as these are not recommended (and are actually prohibited f safe social distancing measures cannot be met) and can be a breeding ground for germs, including the spread of COVID-19. Furthermore, you may not be familiar with everyone who is in attendance and whether or not they have the virus or have recently been exposed to it, thus putting yourself and others at risk. If you do want to attend or host a Halloween party, make sure you keep it within your small household bubble in addition to your “safe six”, and do not allow anyone to bring any plus ones/people you don’t know.
As the weather is changing, it’s usually cooler on Halloween night, but if at all possible then it’s suggested you spend more time outdoors than in – as being indoors generally poses a higher risk when it comes to the spread of COVID-19. If you are going to be inside, then you should keep the area you’re in well-ventilated (i.e. by opening windows.) You should also avoid passing around or sharing drinks and snacks, and avoiding using things like smoke machines, as these may induce coughing – and, as you know, coughing is one way the virus can spread (via respiratory droplets.)
Trick-or-Treating
When going trick-or-treating, you should avoid going to busy areas and instead stick to your local neighbourhood. Also be mindful that not every household will be giving out candy – so be respectful by not knocking on doors if the lights are out. If you’re going to be trick-or-treating in a group, that group should be no greater than 6 people and you should also leave enough space between you when walking to help reduce crowding. You should also be wearing a non-medical grade face mask; however, you should not wear a costume mask over top of a non-medical grade face mask as this might make it difficult for you to breathe.
Because you’ll be handling things that others have touched when trick-or-treating (i.e. stair railings) and may want to snack on some Halloween candy as you’re out and about, it’s also a good idea to carry around hand sanitizer with you, and make sure you wash your hands as soon as you’re back home.
Handing Out Candy
If you’re not going to be trick-or-treating but do plan on handing out candy this year and you’re still worried about coming into contact with others, there are still some safe ways you can go about this. When answering your door to give out treats, wear a non-medical grade mask. When handing out treats, avoid allowing everyone to reach into one shared bowl. Instead, it’s recommended that you either use tongs to hand out treats to avoid physical contact, or have single, pre-packaged treats ready to go. At the end of the night, it’s also recommended that you disinfect high-touch surface areas such as railings, doors, doorbells, and doorknobs.
Other Alternatives
If you’re going to all together skip handing out candy and taking the kids trick-or-treating this year, there are some other fun Halloween-themed activities you can still do with the family – such as pumpkin carving, setting up a backyard Halloween scavenger hunt, holding a Halloween costume contest, or having a Halloween movie night.
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COVID-19: What We Know Now
At the outset of the COVID-19 outbreak, very little was known about the virus. What was known, however, was that it was a form of coronavirus (the same virus that causes the common cold, for example), which is a respiratory pathogen – and that it was much more serious and also had the potential to be fatal. As it began to rapidly spread on a global scale, countries had to make quick decisions on how they were going to address it head on and what their response would be, with some even having to implement strict lockdown measures in areas where infection rates were at their highest. Things that were also unknown about the virus in its early stages included how its cause, transmission, who was most at-risk, in addition to the full list of possible symptoms that came along with it. Here’s what we’ve learned in the last 10 months.
CAUSE OF COVID-19
What we knew then: When COVID-19 first emerged, we knew that it had origins that were genetically similar to coronaviruses found in bats.
What we know now: In addition to the aforementioned information, we know that, as mentioned, COVID-19 is also a form or coronavirus. Coronaviruses are type of virus that cause things like the common cold, or other types of infections in the nose, sinuses, or upper throat. Typically, coronaviruses are not considered dangerous. However, COVID-19 can trigger a serious infection of the lower respiratory tract, such as a lung infection (i.e. pneumonia.)
TRANSMISSION OF COVID-19
What we knew then: Because COVID-19 was not a form of coronavirus that had ever been seen before, it quickly got the attention of scientists on a global scale. As a result of the way it was rapidly spreading, epidemiologists began to conduct field investigations in effort to determine not just how the virus started, but who was infected, when they first became ill with the virus, where they were and who they were around when they fell ill, and how it was spreading.
What we know now: Much like other forms of coronaviruses, COVID-19 is most easily spread by coming into contact with an infected individual’s respiratory droplets. This can occur as a result of having close or prolonged personal contact with someone who has the virus, as well as coming into contact with an high-touch areas where respiratory droplets have landed and then by touching your mouth, nose or eyes with unclean hands.
WHO’S MOST AT RISK
What we knew then: In its early stages, COVID-19 had a high infection rate in people over the age of 60.
What we know now: In addition to those over the age of 60 being considered high-risk for COVID-19, we know that individuals with underlying conditions are also at an increased risk of contracting the virus; including those with asthma or other respiratory conditions (such as COPD), those who have chronic kidney disease, heart disease, diabetes, are overweight or obese, have cancer, or those who are immunocompromised. COVID-19 also does not discriminate when it comes to age. While older individuals are still considered higher risk, there has been an increase in reported cases – particularly those between the ages of 20 and 40, and we have also seen cases where children have developed COVID-19.
SYMPTOMS OF COVID-19
What we knew then: In its early stages, it was thought that the central symptoms associated with COVID-19 were fever and pneumonia.
What we know now: As time as gone on, we have learned that there are plenty of other symptoms associated with the virus – and that they are easily mistaken for other common illnesses, like the common cold, flu, or even allergies. For example, one might experience very mild symptoms such as nasal congestion or a runny nose, sore throat, cough, fatigue, and low-grade fever; while on a more severe scale, can develop a high fever and have difficulty breathing (which is considered a medical emergency, and may require hospitalization as well as for the patient to receive oxygen or be placed on a ventilator.)
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What Are Antibodies?
When bacteria, viruses and other types of microbes invade your body and try to make you sick, your immune system kicks into gear and fights hard to protect you. One of the ways in which your immune system does this is through the production of antibodies, which are stored in your immunoglobulin protein and are produced when they react with things such as protein antigens, including infectious organisms, toxins, and even pollen. Produced antibodies will then locate and attack these antigens.
Types of Antibodies
There are four different types of antibodies to make note of, each of which come with their own set of roles and responsibilities. These include:
• IgM antibodies
• IgG antibodies
• IgA antibodies
• IgE antibodiesIgM antibodies are produced as soon as your immune system’s cells alert to an antigen and will immediately go to the location of the infection in your body to offer some temporary protection while triggering IgG antibodies.
IgG antibodies, unlike IgM antibodies, stick around longer by circulating through your blood and will continue to try to fight off your infection.
IgA antibodies attempt to prevent foreign invaders before you become ill, and are produced via bodily fluids such as saliva, sweat and tears.
IgE antibodies are most commonly triggered through things like pollen, bug bites, foods, or other allergens. They trigger the immune system quickly and result in an allergic reaction such as skin itching, runny nose, and even anaphylaxis – which is a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction.
COVID-19 and Antibodies
The topic of antibodies is also something that you may recall being mentioned in relation to COVID-19. When you are exposed to a new virus such as this, your body will typically create antibodies to help defend you from it in the future should you happen to be exposed to it again. That being said, because there have been several cases where individuals have been diagnosed with COVID-19 on more than one occasion and because it’s still considered to be such a new type of infection, it’s not yet known just how effective antibodies are in preventing a recurrence of the virus, or how long the protection of antibodies will last.
When it comes to testing for antibodies, this is done via a simple blood test which can determine whether or not you’ve had COVID-19 in the past – even if you were asymptomatic. In Canada, you cannot yet request antibody testing as it is only being conducted for limited clinical and research use. It’s also important to note that because it can take time for the body to produce enough antibodies, it is also not being conducted as a diagnostic tool. If you suspect you have COVID-19 or have been around someone infected with the virus, it’s recommended that you go for a viral test. To find a COVID-19 testing location, you should contact your local health authority. If you reside in British Columbia, you can find a testing centre by clicking here.
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Reducing Back-to-School Anxiety
For some kids and teenagers, returning to school can also come along with a lot of stress and anxiety. In many cases, that back-to-school anxiety is often associated with things such as being away from parents or other family members (especially for younger children who are starting full-time school for the first time), or having to go to a brand new school (for example, transitioning from elementary school to high school, or moving to a new neighbourhood and having to go to a new school as a result.) There are also cases where children may be bullied in school in the past and might have fears about returning. In addition to these aforementioned reasons, COVID-19 is also adding to the stress and anxiety that children might be experiencing when it comes to their return to classrooms. Thus, it’s important that adults do as much as they can to ease the fear and anxiety that children may be facing and make their return to school a positive experience.
For children who are starting school for the first time, or those going to a new school, one of the most common concerns voiced by kids is their fear of having to make new friends, or not being able to see or spend as much time with friends from their previous school. Some children may also find it hard to interact with those they aren’t already familiar with due to their anxiety holding them back, while others may feel rejected by their peers, which are things that may also result in a decline in their social skills. To better understand what your child is struggling with and why they might be having difficulty making new friends at school, as them some of the following concrete questions – i.e., “Did you play or hang out with anyone new today?”, “What do you like about that person”, “How were the other kids treating you?” Also look for any signs that your child may be having trouble with social skills, such as body language (lack of smiling, eye contact, different facial expressions), voice quality (clarity, volume of speech), and any noticeable changes in their basic conversational skills. If you’ve recently moved to a new neighbourhood, get to know your neighbours and suggest your kids walk to school together with others their age, as this can be another good way for kids to start to build new friendships.
If a child is or has been bullied in school in the past, this can also cause them to want to retreat and avoid their peers or avoid going to school all together. While it can sometimes be difficult to determine if your child has been bullied at school due to them not wanting to talk about it, there are some telltale signs to watch for. For example, they may develop emotional changes (such as crying more, having low self-esteem, appearing moody/angry, or being depressed), may make up excuses as to why they don’t want to go to school, spends less time with friends, comes home from school with missing belongings, expresses physical symptoms such as stomach aches or nausea. If your child exhibits any of these signs, it’s important to start a dialogue with them and assure them that what’s happening to them isn’t their fault. Parents should also let school staff know what’s going on. It can also be beneficial to share yours and your child’s concerns with a doctor, counsellor, or psychologist.
When it comes to COVID-19, this is something that has increased fear, stress and anxiety in all of us – and for different reasons. Younger children in particular, however, may be much more confused by COVID-19. With physical distancing, for example, they may not have been able to see or communicate with their peers as much as they’re used to. Classrooms are also going to look much different than they did in years prior, with more focus on hygiene practices (such as regular hand washing) and learning groups – which is defined as a group of students and staff that primarily interact with each other and who remain together throughout the school’s quarter, semester or year, as opposed to moving from class to class. Things like school recess and lunches may also be staggered so that students aren’t all congregating together at once. In addition, children may also be required to wear face masks at certain times in school where it’s not possible to fully physically distance from others, which some kids may find uncomfortable or annoying to wear. However, explaining to kids why these health and safety measures need to be put in place, as well as explaining to them that the changes are only temporary, can help reduce the fears they may have surrounding the virus. For more information on B.C.’s Back to School Plan, visit backtoschool.gov.bc.ca.
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COVID-19 Contact Tracing
Whether you have a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19, it’s important that you isolate and avoid going out in public. That means no going to work, school, or shopping if you’re sick. If you do happen to have a confirmed case of COVID-19, part of the job of our public health officials is to immediately notify anyone you may have encountered during the time in which you were infectious. This means any stores or restaurants you went to, you co-workers, and any friends you might have spent time with, as all of these people will need to isolate and monitor themselves for any potential symptoms of COVID-19 no matter how minor. Furthermore, individuals in your household (such as a parent, sibling, spouse, or child) is also at an increased risk of becoming infected with COVID-19, too, as they are in direct contact with you on a much more frequent basis and will also need to monitor for symptoms and isolate.
When public health works to notify those you have come into contact with, this is called “contact tracing.” The following are the primary goals of contact tracing:
• Quickly identify new cases of COVID-19
• Assess the severity of the virus in each individual
• Support and manage those who have been exposed to COVID-19
• Prevent ongoing transmission of the virus to other close contacts/within communitiesAs part of Canada’s contact tracing efforts, the Federal government also recently announced and made available for download a contact tracing app called COVID Alert, which will notify you of any potential exposure to the virus. However, it’s not yet ready for use in all provinces. Here in British Columbia, if you do happen to be a contact of a confirmed case of COVID-19, then a member from public health will contact you to let you know of the exposure and ask you a series of questions, such as whether or not you are symptomatic. If you’re not experiencing symptoms of the virus, you’ll be asked to self-isolate (as it’s still possible to have the virus, even if you are asymptomatic.) If you do have symptoms, you will be sent for testing and will also need to self-isolate once your test has been completed.
If you are a contact of someone with COVID-19, as mentioned previously you should stay home and avoid public areas, work, school, as well as avoid use of public transportation (such as buses, taxis, and other ride-share services.) You should also wash your hands regularly, and clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces. If you happen to need groceries or medication, try asking a friend or relative if they can pick up these necessities for you and drop them off at your front door (you should avoid direct contact.) As an alternative, you may also be able to order your groceries and medications online and have them delivered to you.
As you self-isolate, it’s important that you continually monitor yourself for symptoms as well as take and record your temperature on a daily basis. The average normal body temperature is typically around 37°C, though for some individuals it may be slightly lower. If your temperature exceeds this, you could potentially have COVID-19. It’s also important that, when taking your temperature, you avoid the use of fever-reducing medications as much as possible, as this can change your temperature reading. After 14 days, if you have not developed any symptoms of the virus, then your self-isolation can end. You can find a full list of symptoms to watch for by clicking here. If you are diagnosed with COVID-19, you will be required to self-isolate until at least 10 days have passed since the start of your symptoms, and your fever is gone (and you don’t require the use of fever-reducing medication such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen.)
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Canada’s COVID-19 Stats To-Date
Part of Canada’s way of keeping individuals informed and up to date on all the latest COVID-19 news and case numbers in their respective regions is by having Province-wide updates on a daily (or near-daily) basis. Typically, these updates will come from health officers in each Province (for example, here in British Columbia, updates come from our Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, alongside Health Minister Adrian Dix); while they also come from a Federal level, too, with updates from Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer, Dr. Theresa Tam, and even Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Together, these Provincial and Federal governments provide Canadians with as much pertinent information as possible related to COVID-19, and as soon as they know it. As mentioned, updates include everything from new case numbers (as well as the announcement of any deaths), to information on vaccine progress, Provincial orders (click here to view the list of orders specific to B.C.), and more. The information provided is meant to help Canadians have a better understanding of the virus, as well as what precautions they need to take to keep themselves and their loved ones safe.
While COVID-19 case numbers change each day, here’s what we know about exactly how many Canadians have been affected by the virus – from the beginning of the pandemic up until today, September 3rd, 2020.
In total, and as of today’s date, 129,923 Canadians have been diagnosed with COVID-19 since the first presumptive case was announced back on January 25th, 2020. Canada also recorded its first death related to COVID-19 on March 9th – a man in his 80s, from British Columbia. Since then, our British Columbia has recorded 209 deaths; 242 in Alberta, 24 in Saskatchewan, 14 in Manitoba, 2,812 in Ontario, 5,764 in Quebec, 3 in Newfoundland and Labrador, 0 in Prince Edward Island, 65 in Nova Scotia, 2 in New Brunswick, and 0 in the Yukon as well as the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
Since September 3rd, Canada has also seen a total of 115,050 individuals fully recover from COVID-19 (although some have reported experiencing long-term effects as a result of the virus.) That being said, even just one case of COVID-19 is one too many; and, as we’re once again seeing an increase in numbers in various Provinces, this serves as a reminder that we need to go back to bases and remembered what worked in flattening our curve here in B.C. back in April – especially as we prepare for the fall (kids being back in school, the upcoming cold and flu season, etc.)