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.
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.
Learn More
B.C. health officials urge caution as COVID-19 restrictions begin to lift (CBC)
B.C. to relax COVID-19 rules later than most other provinces — but it had fewer to begin with (CBC)