Musqueam COVID-19 Update: May 8

This week, there were two key announcements from the Province regarding COVID-19 in BC.

BC’s Updated Modelling and Projections

On Monday, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry released released BC’s latest modelling and projections for COVID-19 scenarios in the province.

She acknowledged that British Columbians have succeeded flattening the curve of COVID-19 transmission, but asked us to continue to physically distance, wash our hands regularly, and keep visits outside your household to a minimum.

If BC maintained today’s level of protective measures, and of physical contact with others (about 30% of normal pre-COVID contact), the virus would continue to decrease in cases.

If we move to 80% of pre-COVID physical contact, cases would rise disastrously and at the same rate as if we returned to 100%.

At 60%, BC would maintain a flat rate of transmission.

Modelling for 60% contacts in British Columbia — Contacts increase to 60% (40% physical distancing) in BC.

However, Dr. Henry emphasized that we are only nearing the end of our COVID-19 beginning.

The virus will be in BC until there is a vaccine available for everybody.

To help prepare for the new normal, the province outlined eight principles that apply to every person in every situation during this pandemic.

Until there is a vaccine for COVID-19,
these are principles we will practicing at Musqueam.

BC’s Restart Plan

On Wednesday, Premier Horgan announced BC’s Restart Plan outlining the next steps to move BC through the COVID-19 pandemic.

The plan outlines what protective measures BC has taken that have made a difference, how we will continue to keep transmission low, and what the “new normal” will mean for individuals and employers.

The Province is using a four-phase approach to safely lift restrictions to enable more social and economic activity.

Premier Horgan made it clear that we are not in Phase 2 yet. However, Musqueam as a government is now considering how we will approach the coming months.

Lastly, a hierarchy of controls for COVID-19 was released that shows physical distancing (limiting close contact with others) is still the most effective way to control the spread of the virus.