Province believes hospitals can handle COVID-19 if public continues to buy into physical distancing

VICTORIA (NEWS 1130) – Hospitals in B.C. should be able to handle the rising number of cases of COVID-19 infections in the months ahead, according to a model provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry shared Friday.

But if public health guidelines are not followed, the province has concerns the healthcare system could face demands beyond capacity.

“We are starting to see some glimmers of hope … that we’ve flattened out our increase, our trajectory has leveled off a bit; we need to see that continue and, of course, ideally we want to see it go down,” Henry said.

She added growth in the number of coronavirus cases was at 24 per cent a day, but that rate has fallen to 12 per cent.

For now, practising social distancing appears to have slowed the rate of transmission.

But Dr Henry says it could spike again if we let down our guard or if there is a cluster/outbreak.
Redline here showing growth – was 24% increase a day now 12%.
But we are still in post-restriction incubation period she warns so there will be more.#bcpoli #covid19 @NEWS1130 pic.twitter.com/ERwk7mnWJC

— LizaYuzda (@LizaYuzda) March 27, 2020

However, she said, B.C. is still in a post-restriction incubation period and she warns there will be more cases.

B.C. is on a manageable trajectory, but Henry said measures around physical distancing and other restrictions must continue to be followed.

If the province was to see what Northern Italy has, in terms of the severity of cases, then Henry said hospitals here would be flooded with thousands of sick people by next week.

If that were to happen, B.C. would use all sites and bed capacity off-site from hospitals for less acute medical and surgical inpatients to open up additional spaces for COVID-19 patients in hospitals, with ready access to critical care, she said.

https://twitter.com/IsabelleRaghem/status/1243608052143517696

Most people have been doing their part by social distancing and only going out for essentials, Henry said, and that has helped ensure there are enough ventilators to just meet demand at this time.

When all available ventilators are included, B.C. has more than 1,200, according to the provincial inventory.

An additional 120 ventilators have been ordered since the inventory was completed March 5.

“As of March 24, 15 additional adult critical vents have arrived, with an additional 29 expected early next week. Also, additional critical care ventilators have been identified for loan and for refurbishment – 38 are now ready to be deployed with 19 in progress as of March 26,” says the provinces’s report.

Henry added B.C., if needed, can make use of auxiliary hospitals, should other patients need to be moved, including those waiting for long-term care.

What’s important, she said, is for all to help “flatten the curve” and buy time for vaccines or another kind of widespread treatment.

https://twitter.com/IsabelleRaghem/status/1243605684366655488

Health authorities are now focused on putting in place a four- to six-week clinical and support staffing schedule, as well as redeployment of clinical staff to support critical care.

The provincial and federal governments are also focused on securing additional needed protective equipment in the coming week and throughout the months of April and May.

Henry also introduced a new order Friday, that all farmers markets are to only allow vendors that sell food at events.

New order Dr Bonnie Henry says – all farmers markets must only allow vendors serving food are allowed.
No other vendors allowed.
Earlier today @lanapopham Ag Min said the work is being done for markets to sell online.#bcpoli #covid19 @NEWS1130

— LizaYuzda (@LizaYuzda) March 27, 2020

COVID19 Technical Briefing