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3/11
#Coronavirus
is transmitted via larger droplets that fall quickly out of the air (for example, after a sneeze). This virus is not airborne.
#2019nCoV
9/11 It may be less effective to wear a mask in the community when a person is not sick themselves. Masks may give a person a false sense of security & are likely to increase the number of times a person will touch their own face – to adjust the mask, etc.
#2019nCoV
#coronavirus
11/11 Cover your mouth when you cough so you're not exposing other people. If you are sick yourself, stay away from others. Contact your health care provider ahead of time so you can be safely assessed.
#2019nCoV
#coronavirus
8/11 Regarding wearing masks – masks should be used by sick people to prevent transmission to other people. A mask will help keep a person’s droplets in.
#2019nCoV
#coronavirus
4/11
#Coronavirus
is not something that people can get from casual contact. A person must be in close contact (within 2 metres) with somebody to be able to inhale those droplets if a person coughs or sneezes without cover, in front of them.
#2019nCoV
2/11 Receptors for
#coronavirus
are deep in a person’s lungs – a person must inhale enough of the virus that it can actually bind to those receptors deep in the lungs.
#2019nCoV
6/11 If a person has touched something that has droplets on it with
#coronavirus
in it, as long as they clean their hands before touching their face or your mouth, they are not at risk of getting that virus in their body.
#2019nCoV
5/11 The droplets can fall to the ground after a sneeze and a person can touch them with their hands. The risk of transmission is low in this case, as those droplets must be of significant enough quantity to make it to the receptors in a person’s lungs.
#coronavirus
#2019nCoV
10/11 The most important thing that a person can do to prevent themselves from getting
#coronavirus
is to wash their hands regularly and avoid touching their face.
#2019nCoV
"This is a really critical time for us. This is the time we need to build that firewall. We need to stop the transmission of this disease. We need to stay connected while staying apart. And we need to take care of each other while we're doing that." - Dr. Bonnie Henry
It may be the weekend but
@CDCofBC
staff are still hard at work in the lab and on the phones to process
#COVID19
tests and give people their results. Thank you to everyone who is helping out their communities this weekend!
A big shout out and thank you to all our staff working this weekend including those helping with contact tracing and those getting British Columbians their COVID-19 test results.
The most important thing you can do to prevent getting
#coronavirus
is to wash your hands regularly and avoid touching your face: More information on our website, under the 'Transmission' heading:
#2019nCoV
Thank you to the person or people who posted these lovely notes on our sign. What an uplifting message to see on our way into work and on the way out at the end of the day!
7/11
#Coronavirus
is not something that comes in through the skin. This virus is remitted through large droplets that are breathed deep into a person’s lungs.
#2019nCoV
Lots of questions whether
#coronavirus
can be spread through the eyes, nose and throat. Answer is YES! Virus is transmitted via larger droplets. If they come into contact with your eyes or are inhaled into your mouth or nose, they can enter from there too.
#2019nCoV
“With every person in British Columbia 100% committed to physical distancing, we can flatten the curve. Over the next two weeks we must be united in this one goal."- Dr. Bonnie Henry and Minister
@adriandix
. Learn about physical distancing:
#COVID19bc
#COVID19
update for BC:
- BC recommends against all non-essential travel outside of Canada, including the US.
- People who travel outside of Canada will be asked to stay away from work or school for 14 days upon their return. 1/3
Now most school-aged children who get a COVID-19 test will have the option of swishing, gargling and spitting salt water into a tube instead of a swab. This will make testing easier for children and parents and caregivers. Learn more:
If you are looking for the slides Dr. Bonnie Henry and Minister
@adriandix
are presenting on
#COVID19
in BC and the modelling work, you can access them here:
“Wearing a mask will never eliminate all risks, but it is a significant part of the layers of protection. ... I wear a mask, and I expect each of you who can to wear one too.” Op/ed by Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry
Congratulations to Dr. Mel Krajden of the BC Centre for Disease Control on being appointed to the Order of British Columbia, the province's highest form of recognition! Join us in celebrating Dr. Krajden for his leadership & contributions to the province!
We’re thrilled to announce that BC has launched a
#COVID19
dashboard for the province. You can find the latest case and testing information including number of people hospitalized, recovered, and more with this interactive and mobile-friendly tool:
The new
#coronavirus
is spread by droplets that come from the mouth or nose. The droplets don’t stay floating in the air. This is not an airborne virus.
#2019nCoV
The first British Columbians received COVID-19 vaccines today: Nisha Yunus and Linda Latour are health care workers who provide personal care and support to seniors. Well done to the teams
@VCHhealthcare
and
@Fraserhealth
:
We have updated the information about how COVID-19 spreads.
#COVID19
spreads from a person with COVID-19 to others through larger droplets and smaller droplets known as aerosols.
1/4
Help save emergency rooms for emergencies. If you’re worried about
#COVID19
symptoms, use this self-assessment tool to see if you need testing: If it’s a medical emergency, call 9-1-1.
If you are feeling unwell (even if you’re certain it’s not
#COVID19
), stay home and don’t spread your germs to others. This helps protect people more vulnerable to severe illness. Learn how to stop the spread of germs at home:
With multiple respiratory viruses, including COVID-19 circulating, many tools can help protect you and your family, like staying home if you feel unwell, getting all recommended vaccines, and opening windows at gatherings. Learn more about your toolkit:
Are you experiencing
#COVID19
symptoms like a cough, fever, sore throat or sneezing? Try this quick, new, online self-assessment tool to see if you need testing:
We've improved our website to help you find the information you need about
#COVID19
. Check it out and learn how to protect yourself, your family and your community:
#coronavirus
Testing is recommended for anyone with cold, influenza or COVID-19-like symptoms, even mild ones. Learn about the symptoms and where to go to be assessed for testing:
March 20
#COVID19
update for BC:
- 17,912 tests complete
- 348 cases
- 6 people recovered
"The self-isolation and social distancing that we do today will benefit all of us two weeks and two months from now."
Wearing a non-medical mask can help protect others from
#COVID19
. Some people can spread the virus when they have very mild symptoms or may not know that they have it. A mask helps to contain droplets from talking, laughing, singing, coughing, or sneezing:
There is a lot happening in the laboratories across BC right now. In addition to
#COVID19
testing, staff continue to do essential testing for leukaemia, prenatal and newborn screening, HIV, STIs, cervical cancer, tuberculosis and more.
Think you need a
#COVID19
testing? If you have no symptoms, mild symptoms or you are a returning traveller self-isolating at home, you do not require a test. If you need medical assistance, call your health care provider or 8-1-1. If it’s an emergency, call 9-1-1.
#Shoutout
to Nake Bhupal, Contact tracing assistant! 🎉
When Nake called a client with a positive COVID-19 test for assessment, his gut told him something was wrong. Read how Nake's quick response to the situation helped save a client's life.
If we all commit to public health measures like physical distancing, washing our hands regularly, and staying home when we can, we can limit the spread of
#COVID19
. BC's modelling work shows what we are preparing for and how these measures can help:
Prepare for
#wildfire
smoke: Stock up on medications especially for respiratory conditions like asthma, use a portable air cleaner with a HEPA air filter to keep indoor air clean, and use a well-fitted respirator or three-layer mask outdoors
Is it safe to handle cash? The risk of
#COVID19
transmission by cash and documents is low and similar to other common surfaces like doorknobs. If you handle cash, wash your hands frequently. Refusing cash can put an undue burden on people who depend on it as a form of payment.
If you can't maintain a safe distance from others, consider wearing a mask or face covering. Wearing a mask can help protect others by containing your own droplets when talking, laughing, singing, coughing, or sneezing:
“There has been a notable transmission of COVID-19 at events, such as religious gatherings. As a result, we recommend social distancing and forgoing usual greetings." B.C.
#COVID19
number now at 27 cases. Update on COVID-19 cases in B.C.:
#coronavirus
Try this new, quick online self-assessment tool to see if you need testing for
#COVID19
. If you do need a test, call your health care provider before you go to ensure they are prepared and can keep clinic staff and other patients safe
We all need to be aware that COVID-19 is a new disease but that outbreaks can be managed with the right response and that the vast majority of infected people will recover.
#COVID19
#coronavirus
1/6
We've improved our website to help you find the information you need about
#COVID19
. Check it out and learn how to protect yourself, your family and your community:
#coronavirus
You may have noticed more people wearing and making masks in your community. If you have questions about face masks, take a look at the information on our website:
Behind the scenes today
@CDCofBC
we’re practicing social distancing in our daily
#COVID19
meeting. Show us what you are doing to help protect your community: Working from home, online yoga, walk outside, a virtual family visit?
What do you have planned this weekend? Virtual hangouts with friends and family, movies, exercise, crafts? It's okay to go outside with members of your household but avoid gatherings of any size and keep a space between you and other people
BC’s epidemic trajectory is stable, with a lower incidence and mortality rate than in some other parts of Canada and the world: Latest surveillance on
#COVID19
in BC:
If you are ill, staying home will protect your community and those more vulnerable:
- Do not go to work, grocery stores, take public transit, etc.
- Do not have visitors to your home
- If you live with others, stay and sleep in separate room
Learn more:
If you’re self-isolating because you may have been exposed to
#COVID19
:
- Do work from home
- Do wash your hands regularly
- Do clean your home
- Do not use public transit or taxis
- Do not have visitors
Learn more:
A case of monkeypox has been confirmed in B.C. through laboratory testing at the BC Centre for Disease Control and awaiting confirmation at the National Microbiology Laboratory. Vancouver Coastal Health is conducting public health follow-up.
🔗
The province has created a phone service to provide non-medical info about COVID-19, including the latest information on travel recommendations and social distancing. Information is available in more than 110 languages, 7:30 a.m.-8 p.m. at 1-888-COVID19.
How has
#COVID19
affected your life, your family and your future? B.C. has launched a population health survey to gather valuable information about how COVID-19 has impacted the health and well-being of people in our province
#COVIDBC
Congrats to
@georgiastraight
journalist
@tlupick
on being honoured with the George Ryga Award for Social Awareness for his writing on drug addiction, harm reduction and mental health
90% of all eligible British Columbians have received the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine! Thank you for getting vaccinated and protecting your loved ones and community.
#COVIDBC
#GetVaccinated
You may have heard that BC has a new dashboard for
#COVID19
. Check it out and explore the data. Did we mention it is mobile friendly? 😊 You can access it through
“Right now, we must all continue to hold the line. We must all continue to show kindness and care to those around us and do all we can to continue to flatten our curve.” Latest statement:
If I live alone, can I see anyone? Yes - you can socialize with 1-2 people such as a partner, relative or close friend. Think of them as your immediate household that you do social activities with like eating a meal, watching a movie or going for a walk.
The BC Ministry of Health in partnership with Thrive Health launched a user-friendly support app called BC COVID-19 SUPPORT. Keep informed about
#covid19
in BC and use it to determine what actions/next steps you should take. Available on Apple App Store and Google Play 📲
"We are bending the curve. People in B.C. have listened and done the right thing. We are grateful for what everyone has done. What happens next is directly tied to your continued efforts. We cannot afford a resurgence." Latest statement:
By now you have seen the headlines and social media posts about the sex and
#COVID19
resource on our website. We appreciate your interest (yes we laughed too!) and would like to take the opportunity to highlight some points. 1/8
If someone has COVID-19 at home, there are some steps you can take to prevent others around from getting sick. A printable handout is available on this page:
Keeping a physical space between yourself and other people is something you can do to protect yourself, your family and your community from
#COVID19
. Learn more:
The
#COVID19
hospitalization rate among unvaccinated individuals was 17x higher than among fully vaccinated individuals from July 1 to Aug 17.
Get vaccinated! Find a clinic:
#vaxforbc
Check out the latest
#COVIDBC
data summary:
Masks act as a barrier and help stop the spread of droplets from a person’s mouth and nose when talking, laughing, yelling, singing, coughing, or sneezing. They will not eliminate all risks but they are a significant part of our layers of protection:
#COVID19
in BC: Number of reported cases has been higher than in early April but the increase may be associated with more testing and outbreaks; there has not been an increase in hospitalisations or critical care admissions. Latest surveillance report:
Current
#COVID19
trends in BC: The proportions of cases hospitalized and fatal have remained stable while the proportion of recovered cases continues to increase. For more details, see the latest situation report on this page:
We love how happy Liam is after getting vaccinated against
#COVID19
! Thank you for helping protect your family and community, Liam.
#VaxChamp
🦸♂️
---
Share your child's
#COVID
-19 vaccination journey & their colored Jesse comic strips with us
@CDCofBC
.
Steps to prevent the spread of infection and
#COVID19
:
- Wash your hands regularly
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces like toilets, counters, doors, taps, etc.
- Do not share food, drinks, utensils, etc.
- Stay home when you are sick
More:
Second dose of the
#COVID19
vaccine is the essential second half of your vaccine series. Both doses are needed to get the most effective protection against serious cases of COVID-19. A second dose also offers longer-lasting protection. Learn more:
Between June 15 - July 15, less than 5% of COVID-19 cases were among fully vaccinated people. During that time, 78% of those hospitalized due to
#COVID19
were unvaccinated and 18% were partially vaccinated. Getting vaccinated protects you, your family and your community.
New orders from the Provincial Health Officer go into effect tonight until November 23 for most parts of the
@VCHhealthcare
and
@Fraserhealth
regions:
1 - No social gatherings with people outside your household
2 - Only essential travel into or out of the regions
1/2
Behind the scenes:
#COVID19
testing in action. Laboratory staff around BC are trained to use appropriate biosafety precautions to keep themselves safe from potentially infectious samples.
There have been a lot of changes and confusion about
#COVID19
guidance recently. We updated the website yesterday with clarifications. We apologize if this approach led to confusion.
🙏 Thank you for your patience.
Read this thread to learn more about the recent changes.
1/8 🧵
New study: People with an opioid use disorder prescribed 1+ day's supply of opioids as part of BC's Risk Mitigation Guidance were 61% less likely to die in the following week, compared to a similar group of people who did not receive a prescription.
BCCDC welcomes today’s announcement that B.C. is moving forward with drug decriminalization. This is an important step toward saving lives as we enter the sixth year of the public health emergency fueled by a toxic drug supply:
Masks are now required in indoor public spaces but to be effective, you need to continue to wash or sanitize your hands regularly and keep a safe distance from others
The new
#coronavirus
is spread by droplets that come from the mouth or nose. The droplets don’t stay floating in the air. This is not an airborne virus.
"Social distancing is an important line of defence – staying a fingertip-to-fingertip distance away from each other, but no touching. Equally important is maintaining our connections with friends, family and colleagues while many of us remain at home."
Mobile phones should be disinfected because they can harbour germs. If no cleaning instructions are available for the product, consider disinfectant wipes or sprays with 70% alcohol and dry well after. Do not use vinegar as it can damage screens!
The new mouth rinse sample collection for school-aged children was developed by lab and medical staff with the Provincial Lab Medicine Services, the Public Health Lab and BC Children’s Hospital. Read the story:
BC has mouth rinse and gargle sample collection kits for school-aged children at most COVID-19 collection centres. These kits make testing easier for parents and kids. Watch the video on what to expect and how to prepare:
Thanks to the Rapid Response Team for their work, advising British Columbians about possible exposures to COVID-19 to notifying people about test results.
Here is the map of COVID-19 cases by Local Health Area over the last week, epi week 49:
The map will be updated weekly and you can find it and other info here:
If you have symptoms of
#COVID19
like sneezing, coughing, sore throat and fever, it’s important to self-isolate to protect your family, friends and community. Follow these steps:
People can spread
#COVID19
when they have very mild symptoms or may not know that they have it. In this case, wearing a mask can help protect others by containing your own droplets in situations where you cannot keep a safe distance from others.
If you're looking for more information about the science and analysis to support delaying of the second dose of
#COVID19
vaccine, watch this webinar with Dr. Skowronski:
#COVID19
update:
@WHO
declared the outbreak a pandemic:
BC continues to work to contain the virus and break the chains of transmission.
46 cases in BC. Read the latest from Dr. Bonnie Henry and M
inister
@adriandix
:
Self-isolating after you have been exposed to
#COVID19
is something you can do to help slow the spread of the virus in your community and protect people more vulnerable. Learn the dos and don’ts of self-isolation:
If you are making a homemade face mask, use clean 100% cotton, polyester or a cotton-polyester blend and have at least three layers of materials to make sure that droplets don’t pass through the fabric. Check out this info on different masks