B.C. to release plan for long-term care home visits

VICTORIA (NEWS 1130) — Changes to visitation rules at long-term care facilities will be announced by the province Tuesday, which many families have been calling for throughout the pandemic.

These facilities have been heavily restricted since March.

“We are looking at how to expand that in a safe way for people,” says Dr. Bonnie Henry, the provincial health officer.

During Monday’s COVID-19 briefing, the province recorded 26 more COVID-19 cases and no new deaths over the weekend.

Health Min @adriandix says tomorrow we will hear about visitation changes at BC’s LTC homes – that’s expected to happen at noon tomorrow.
He says it’s welcome news to have no deaths over the past three days. Of those in hospital: 11 FH, 7 VCH#bcpoli #covid19 @news1130

— LizaYuzda (@LizaYuzda) June 29, 2020

Henry also says contact tracing is ongoing following the exposure event at Brandi’s Show Lounge in Vancouver and people who were there between June 21 and June 24 between 9 p.m. and 3 a.m. are asked to monitor themselves for possible symptoms. At least three people have tested positive from this event.

Anyone who starts showing symptoms is asked to call 8-1-1 or public health officials for testing.

Re: stepping up inspections now that places like Brandi’s Show Lounge in #Vancouver have been accused of “skirting” rules, Dr. Bonnie Henry simply says, “Yes.” #bcpoli #COVID19 @NEWS1130

— Marcella Bernardo (@Bernardo1130) June 29, 2020

“As we move into this phase of our Restart Plan, we must remember COVID-19 remains a risk for everyone. Even though our new cases are low, we need to keep it there,” the provincial health officer says.

To contain the spread of the virus, she says people need to stay vigilant and keep social bubbles small while current cases are being monitored.

“It is a team effort that we need to continue together in B.C.,” Henry says.

“One slip is all we need to cause a significant rebound, and we’ve seen that happen in jurisdictions around us.”

The provincial health officer stressed the importance of businesses keeping their employees and patrons safe, saying B.C. can’t afford any exceptions.

Meanwhile, there aren’t any new outbreaks in healthcare facilities, and the outbreak at the Beresford Warming Centre has been declared over.

There are currently 153 active cases in B.C., and 18 people in the hospital, with five in critical care.

Henry also says out of the 2,904 people who have tested positive for the virus, 2,577 people have fully recovered.

Since Friday, the recovery rate improved slightly to 88.7 per cent from 88.4 per cent.

-With files from Marcella Bernardo