Monday, April 13, 2020 – 2:45 pm
COVID-19 PANDEMIC UPDATE #19 – CITY OF NELSON
Nelson, BC – There have been concerns raised across the province regarding the number tourists and visitors travelling to and within British Columbia this past long weekend. One reported example took place near Princeton, BC where visitors are said to have contributed to reducing the amount of groceries available to the community. There were also concerns raised regarding the number of apparent non-essential travellers crowding BC Ferries. While undoubtedly, some of the travel maybe unwarranted, Health Minister Dix reassured that he is confident most of the travel was in fact, essential. He also reported that BC Ferries has reduced the number of sailings and limited the capacity to 50% on each ferry. Minister Dix emphasized our efforts are making a difference and it is important that we continue to only travel when it is essential.
Personal Protective Equipment
The Province reported today they continue to source and receive personal protective equipment (PPE) for healthcare workers. PPE supplies are arriving in amounts that are currently ahead of the need, for the time being. In particular, the Minister thanked the Province of Alberta for supplying 250,000 N95 respirators. He also indicated BC is receiving supplies from the Federal Government and other sources not previously utilized.
Non-Medical Cloth Masks are Your Choice during COVID-19 – Dr. Bonnie Henry, Public Health Officer From the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have regularly seen people choose to wear a variety of masks, from medical masks to cloth face coverings, in grocery stores, parks, on buses and sidewalks.
As we all look to protect our loved ones and ourselves, many have asked if this is the right thing to do?
It is important to reserve medical masks and N95 respirators for our health-care-workers. It is their job to care for us when we are ill and having the correct protective equipment to do that is crucial for them and for all of us.
So how do non-medical cloth masks fit in? The Canadian public health special advisory committee has closely reviewed evidence from around the world to answer this question. We now know that some people can spread the virus when they have very mild symptoms or may be unaware they are infected. Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada’s chief public health officer, has explained, a non-medical cloth mask or face covering can help you keep your own droplets out of the air and off surfaces. Choosing to wear such a face covering is like coughing or sneezing into a tissue or your sleeve.
A non-medical cloth mask or face covering, while helpful in containing your own droplets, will not protect you from COVID-19, nor is wearing one required of you if you can keep your safe distance from others. Moreover, using a cloth mask does not give you permission to disregard physical distancing and self-isolation orders. Indeed, these, along with respiratory etiquette and hand hygiene, remain the key proven measures to stop transmission.
Wearing a cloth mask or face covering is a matter of personal choice. It is another tool you can choose, particularly when maintaining that important safe distance can be a challenge.
If you choose to wear a non-medical cloth mask or face covering, remember the importance of continuing to not touch your face when wearing it. This is often challenging especially for small children, and of course, be cautious when removing the cloth mask. Wash it regularly and do not share it with others.
To read the full media release here: https://news.gov.bc.ca/factsheets/non-medical-cloth-masks-are-your-choice-during-covid-19
CDC Recommendation for Non-Medical Masks and how to make: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html
BCCDC Information Regarding Masks: http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/prevention-risks/masks
CBC Article – How to make yourself a facemask
https://www.cbc.ca/life/wellness/how-to-make-yourself-a-face-mask-1.5526889
The BC Government has provided the following information today:
COVID-19 Cases:
- Total cases in BC to date: 1490
- 650 in Vancouver Coastal Health
- 591 in Fraser Health
- 87 in Island Health
- 136 in Interior Health (Up 6 since Thursday, April 9)
- 26 in Northern Health
- Total recovered cases in BC: 905
- Total new cases in BC: 45 (Since April 11)
- Total fatalities in BC to date: 69
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Reminders:
For mental health support, please visit: Anxiety Canada : https://www.anxietycanada.com/
BounceBack BC :
https://bouncebackbc.ca/
Which businesses are open in Nelson? https://www.nelsonkootenaylake.com/news
To apply for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit Program, visit: https://www.canada.ca/…/s…/benefits/ei/cerb-application.html or call 1-800-959-2019 or 1-800-959-2041
To help provide important information to our community, the City of Nelson has developed a dedicated webpage nelson.ca/covid19 that will be updated frequently as new information becomes available. Please sign-up for ‘City News’ on NotifyMe to receive automatic updates from the City via text or email.
The City of Nelson relies on Interior Health, BC Public Health, and the Federal Government for information related to the virus itself. If you believe you are exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19, please contact your physician, or call the COVID-19 telephone line at 1-888-COVID19, to be assessed or call the testing clinic hotline at (250) 551-7500 to be triaged for testing. Symptoms of COVID-19 include coughing, fever, sore throat, and difficulty breathing. These symptoms may not present themselves for up to 14 days, but you may be a carrier of the virus; therefore it is important to follow the guidelines set out by the health experts.
To check your symptoms or get updates from the BC Government you can download the BC COVID-19 App or visit this website
News and information about the spread of COVID-19 is coming at us quickly. It can be hard to remain calm given all that is going on. Stress, anxiety, and depression are not unusual for people of all ages. But there are things we can do as individuals and collectively to deal with stress and support one another during these challenging times.
Visit the managing stress website here. We thank you for doing your part to help maintain a safe and healthy community and for understanding the importance of this evolving situation.
Information from the BC Center for Disease Control on COVID-19
Media Contact:
Ginger Lester, EOC Information Officer
glester@nelson.ca
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