Medical Health Officer Geoff McKee has accepted an invitation by the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) to speak about the potential local impact of COVID-19.
The presentation will take place at the SCRD’s corporate and administrative services committee meeting on March 26.
Board chair Lori Pratt said the invitation was intended to get information about the virus, “and what we would need to do as a government entity.”
As of March 11, 46 cases had been confirmed in B.C., including four people who have recovered. A man in his 80s with underlying medical conditions contracted the disease and died. He was a resident of Lynn Valley Care Centre Lodge in North Vancouver, which is under “outbreak precautions” with several confirmed cases.
Of the confirmed cases in B.C., 22 are situated in the Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) region, which includes the Sunshine Coast. According to School District No. 46 (SD46) superintendent Patrick Bocking, “there is no evidence that we are aware of for COVID-19 being on the Sunshine Coast.”
SD46 heads into spring break for two weeks starting March 16, with no cancelled events or altered operations, outside of the decision last week to cancel all overseas trips. One group of students, who had organized a trip to Russia independently with their teacher, departed March 4. The district continues to work closely with VCH.
The SCRD is also in contact with VCH, and the leadership team has shared an SCRD Pandemic Influenza Exposure Control Plan with managers and stakeholders for review as preparation continues.
Meanwhile, BC Ferries spokesperson Deborah Marshall said the company is closely monitoring the situation, working with health authorities, and taking extra measures to “clean all touch points and hard surfaces” such as handrails, elevators, tables and pin pads.
If someone self-identifies as having an infectious illness, “Where possible, we can help the person separate themselves from other passengers to help to prevent the spread of the infection,” Marshall said.
Transport Canada regulations still apply – passengers are not permitted to remain in their vehicles on an enclosed vehicle deck.
According to the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC), “the risk of spread of the virus in B.C. communities remains low at this time.”
Symptoms of COVID-19 are similar to other respiratory illnesses such as the flu and common cold, and can include coughing, sneezing, fever, sore throat and difficulty breathing. Older people and those with weakened immune systems or underlying conditions “are at higher risk of severe disease.”
The virus is not airborne, but those in close proximity to an infected person are most at risk, since it is transmitted through “larger liquid droplets” from coughs or sneezes, according to the BCCDC. As such, people should wash their hands regularly, avoid touching their face, stay home when sick and cover their mouth when coughing.
VCH public affair specialist Matt Kieltyka said the procedure for anyone experiencing symptoms on the Sunshine Coast is the same as for the Lower Mainland: they should contact their health care provider or call 811.
“Robust protocols are in place to manage any unusual cases of illness amongst people presenting at emergency departments and staff at all VCH health care facilities are taking the necessary precautions to identify anyone who may meet the criteria for COVID-19, assess the patient and ensure they do not pose a risk to others,” said Kieltyka.
On March 11, the World Health Organization characterized the spread of COVID-19 as a pandemic.
