May, July, longer? Health minister, federal document point to prolonged COVID-19 crisis timeline
Posted April 1, 2020 5:41 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – B.C.’s state of emergency has been extended for at least two more weeks, and the message from health authorities is the same — stay home.
But how much longer is this crisis going to last? While there are no firm answers yet, the likely answer is months.
A federal government document obtained by the National Post reportedly contains this line: ” Current GoC [Government Operations Centre] modelling suggests as a best case scenario that current measures continue until at least July.”
It’s not exactly clear what “current measures” means in this context, but it mean the ban on public gatherings, the closure of the border, the mandatory 14-day quarantine for those returning to Canada, or all of the above.
B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix has said there’s zero chance any protective measures will be lifted in April.
In his address to the province Tuesday night, Premier John Horgan urged people to stay with this.
“We don’t have all the answers, but we do have hope. Hope that the steps we have taken are working,” he said.
The province’s public health officer has also hinted at a prolonged timeline, telling British Columbians earlier this week that B.C. is likely experiencing its first wave of the novel coronavirus.
“When we get through our first wave, which will likely be in a few weeks, and maybe into May, for sure, we need to start thinking about what does it look like again to understand, if we are starting to see importations again, if we are starting to see clusters and cases being transmitted in the community,” Dr. Bonnie Henry said.
“I do think it’s more and more less likely that we’re going to be able to get back to full, normal life – which I miss, a lot – before, at least, the summer,” she said.
Henry urged the importance of B.C. preparing for a second wave, and that “every possible effort” needs to be put into developing a vaccine against COVID-19.
Horgan also said Tuesday the province is rolling out a new partnership Wednesday to help secure more personal protection equipment for healthcare workers. Additionally, he said, the provincial government will be taking steps to support businesses and locals.
“We’re freezing rents, helping evictions and abroad in a new monthly benefit to give you up to $500 to help pay your rent. We created a BC emergency benefit which will give you up to $1,000 indirect financial support if you’ve lost your income.”
As of Tuesday, B.C. had recorded 970 cases of COVID-19, and 19 deaths related to the virus.
-With files from Liza Yuzda and Marcella Bernardo
