Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Minister of Health Adrian Dix (Photo: Government of B.C. Flickr)

By Lyonel Doherty

The COVID-19 outbreak at the Kearl Lake oil sands project in Alberta has impacted B.C. already.

In her update today, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said several B.C. residents returning from that project have been affected.

Therefore, she has ordered that anyone who has been at the Kearl Lake project must self-isolate for 14 days upon their return to B.C.

Reporting on the numbers, Henry said there are an additional 52 cases of COVID-19 in B.C. (since Saturday). This brings the total to nearly 1,700, including 153 in the Interior Health region, where 11 people remain hospitalized.

In total, there are 104 people in hospital with COVID-19, including 49 in critical care.

Henry reported five additional deaths since Saturday, bringing the total to 86. But she did point out that 1,039 people have fully recovered from the virus.

Henry noted one new outbreak in a long-term care facility in B.C. But she stated that the previous outbreak at Okanagan Correctional Centre in Oliver has been resolved. Only one inmate there tested positive for the virus.

Henry encouraged anyone who has symptoms to contact the 811 help line for assessment. She also reported the province has broadened its testing strategy to now include anyone who has symptoms, including cough, fever and shortness of breath.

“We want to avoid any new spikes in community cases; that’s why we’ve changed the strategy to find anyone who needs to be isolated.”

Henry noted that while anyone can get the test, not everyone needs the test.

She made it clear that if B.C. continues on the downward trend (flattening the curve), the province will look at relaxing some restrictions (but that may not happen until May). No changes are expected in April.

Henry said the new normal will still see restrictions on festivals, parades and travel, adding they still expect no more than 50 people at a gathering (but only if safe distancing can be maintained).

She urged people to keep their distance from seniors and to stay home if at all possible.

Henry warned that people must not “let up too soon” or everyone’s work to beat the virus will have been wasted.

Health Minister Adrian Dix said the province is approaching the point where it needs to introduce “alternative” personal protective equipment because of dwindling supplies. But he stated all of these alternatives will be thoroughly tested to meet the standards.

During question period, Dix said any relaxing or “opening up” of restrictions must be based on science because they don’t want any new spikes or transmissions of the virus.

Henry was asked what she thought of temperature screening stations outside of supermarkets. She didn’t think this method was very helpful, noting the fact that just because you don’t have a fever doesn’t mean you are safe.

Henry said even if someone thinks he has an allergy, he should be staying at home.

She acknowledged it has been very hard for people who have been making these sacrifices. While the virus may not touch you directly, you need to look at what’s happening in the world and put trust in provincial orders, she said.

“We have averted a major crisis in B.C. because people are doing what we’ve asked them to do.”

Henry said while the numbers are going down, there is no immunity from the virus, adding that outbreaks are still occurring in B.C.

She said that as businesses prepare to reopen, they will need to modify their operations to offer ongoing protection against the virus.

Henry said people may need to go back to work on modified schedules. Even schools will need to come up with innovative ways to ensure the safety of students.