Tuesday, May 12, 2020 – 4:00pm
COVID-19 PANDEMIC UPDATE #40 – CITY OF NELSON
*TONIGHT - COVID-19 Town Hall with Premier Horgan and Public Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry at 6:30pm on GlobalBC.*
Take the COVID-19 BC Survey
The Provincial Government in collaboration with the BC Centre for Disease Control and other public health officials have developed a COVID-19 survey for BC residents. Both Dr. Bonnie Henry and Minister Adrian Dix are encouraging everyone to take the time to fill out the survey, as it will provide valuable information and help inform decisions going forward. The purpose of the survey is to learn more about our communities’ general knowledge and perceptions of risk around COVID- 19, and how the current environment around us may affect our health and wellness, and our lives in general. This survey is the first of several activities that will strengthen our pandemic response and our understanding of the impacts of COVID-19 to date (social, economic, mental wellness and community wellness). The survey takes approximately 10-15 mins to complete.
To take the survey, please visit: http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/covid-19-survey
Quick Reference Chart to BC’s Restart Plan
The following quick reference chart was produced by Data Journalist Nathan Griffiths from Post Media News in Vancouver. The chart provides a snapshot of the Province’s plan to ease restrictions. Please note, these are general timelines, and the Province will provide more specific information and guidance as we move through Phase II. It is also dependent on transmission rates remaining low or being in decline.
Federal Government Announces up to $500 in Additional Support for Seniors
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced additional measures to help Canadian seniors and provide them with greater financial security in this time of crisis.
These measures include:
- Providing a one-time tax-free payment of $300 for seniors eligible for the Old Age Security (OAS) pension, with an additional $200 for seniors eligible for the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS).
- Expanding the New Horizons for Seniors Program with an additional investment of $20 million to support organizations that offer community-based projects that reduce isolation, improve the quality of life of seniors, and help them maintain a social support network.
- Temporarily extending GIS and Allowance payments if seniors’ 2019 income information has not been assessed. This will ensure that the most vulnerable seniors continue to receive their benefits when they need them the most. To avoid an interruption in benefits, seniors are encouraged to submit their 2019 income information as soon as possible and no later than by October 1, 2020.
“As workers, neighbours, parents, grandparents, spouses, caregivers, and volunteers, Canada’s seniors have shaped this country and contribute to our communities every day,” Trudeau said. “They are among the most threatened by COVID-19, and we will support them and work to keep them safe.”
To read the full media release: https://pm.gc.ca/en/news/news-releases/2020/05/12/prime-minister-announces-additional-support-canadian-seniors
PM Says Canada Needs “Stronger Measures” to Prevent Cross-Border Transmission
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau gave some indication today that Canada is in no hurry to ease travel restrictions on non-essential travel across the US border. The restrictions were agreed upon in March, and are set to expire on May 21. “We’re going to be very, very careful about reopening any international travel, including in the United States, before we feel that it is time.” Trudeau said. “Preventing transmission from outside of Canada into Canada, once we have controlled the spread within Canada, will be an essential part of ensuring that we don’t fall back into a second wave that could be as serious as this wave we’re going through, or even more so.”
British Columbia’s Provincial Health Minister Adrian Dix said reopening the border would not be in the interest of the province: “It would make no sense to have visitors travelling either from Canada to the United States and returning, or to have visitors coming from the US to Canada.”
To read full CBC news story: https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/border-deal-trudeau-united-states-1.5565959
The BC Government has provided the following information today:
COVID-19 Case Statistics
:Total cases in BC to date: 2360
- 874 in Vancouver Coastal Health
- 1124 in Fraser Health
- 125 in Island Health
- 180 in Interior Health (No new cases in 24 hours)
- 57 in Northern Health
- Total fatalities in BC to date: 131 (1 death in 24 hours)
- Total new cases in BC: 7
- Total cases in Canada to date: 70,432
- Total fatalities in Canada to date: 5,049
Important Resources & Information – COVID-19
To view BC’s Restart Plan: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/public-safety-and-emergency-services/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/gdx/bcs_restart_plan_web.pdf
Which businesses are open in Nelson?
https://www.nelsonkootenaylake.com/news
B.C. Government Resources List for Support and Information during COVID-19
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/covid-19-provincial-support
Supports for Businesses in BC: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/employment-business-and-economic-development/business-management/small-business/covid-19_small_business_supports.pdf
Wellness Together Canada https://ca.portal.gs/
Anxiety Canada https://www.anxietycanada.com/
BounceBack BC https://bouncebackbc.ca/
Here2Talk for Post-Secondary Students https://here2talk.ca/home
Psychological First Aid – Over 19+ https://www.psychologists.bc.ca/covid-19-resources
Crisis Line Association of BC – 1-800 suicide (1 800 784-2433) - 24/7
www.crisiscentre.bc.ca - 24/7 - crisis and suicide intervention
Mental Health and Information Support Line - 310-6789 (no area code required)
Kids Help Phone – 1-800-668-6868
www.kidshelphone.ca or text connect to 686868 - 24/7
Helpline for Children - 310-1234 (no area code required)
www.youthinbc.com - 24/7
VictimlinkBC – 1-800-563-0808 - 24/7
information, referrals. Immediate crisis support
HealthLinkBC - 811 or www.healthlinkbc.ca
For seniors looking for additional support at this time, call 211 or visit:
www.bc211.ca
Interior Crisis Line Network – 1-888-353-2273 - 24/7
Nelson Transition House – (250) 354-4357
24/7 - Specifically for women leaving or struggling in, an abusive relationship.
Nelson Police Department Victim Services – (250) 505-5657
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 B.C. Government you can download the BC COVID-19 App or visit this website
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 B.C. Center for Disease Control on COVID-19
Media Contact:
Ginger Lester, EOC Information Officer glester@nelson.ca