Sick? Stay home, regardless if its flu, COVID-19, or RSV, B.C.’s Dr. Bonnie Henry says

As the province sees an increase in respiratory viruses this fall, B.C.’s top doctor is asking that people stay home if they feel sick — regardless of what kind of virus it is.

In an update on the state of respiratory illness in the province Wednesday morning, Dr. Bonnie Henry addressed the rising cases of COVID-19, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a virus that hits children particularly hard.

Henry noted that the vast majority of COVID cases in the province are still Omicron, and noted that while it’s unlikely a new variant could emerge locally, there’s still a possibility a new type could develop internationally.

The update comes as hospitals in B.C. and across the country have been overwhelmed as they deal with the ‘triple-demic’.

Wait times in children’s hospitals have been in excess of nine hours sometimes, with reports of parents and children leaving before being able to be seen by a doctor.

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On Tuesday, a group of organizations wrote an open letter to the province, demanding the mask mandate be re-instated in all public spaces, including schools, however Henry says a mask mandate is not needed at this time, saying the best protection against respiratory illnesses remains immunizations.

Henry says the situation has changed since when that mandate was in place.

“Last year we had mask mandates, but they were not in isolation,” she explained. “It was in the context of what we were facing at the time, including severe illness in many adults, as immunization was increasing but not yet at the level we needed. We had no vaccines available for children.”

Henry says if you’re feeling any respiratory symptoms — sniffles, cough, headache — to stay home. If you feel like you’re fighting something off, wear a mask, she says.

Keeping your “personal tool kit handy” is one of the best ways to keep you and your family illness-free, Henry says, including carrying a mask with you, doing a health check every day, avoiding touching your face and nose, washing your hands, disposing of tissues appropriately, and choosing where and when you gather — good open spaces with good ventilation.

Among children, Henry says Entero/Rhinovirus and Influenza are the two major viruses driving sickness currently. RSV is growing, however, is a much smaller percentage of viruses detected at BC Children’s hospital.

As of Wednesday, the province says 51 per cent of eligible children aged 5 to 11 have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, while 57 per cent of eligible people in B.C. have received a third dose or more.

Currently, there are 335 people in hospital who have tested positive for COVID-19, but the reason for their hospitalization may not be related to the virus.

Health Minister Adrian Dix speaks on Wednesday November 16th, 2022 in Victoria. (B.C. Government Image)

Health Minister Adrian Dix reiterated Henry’s comments, urging people to wear masks when gathering indoors and staying home when feeling ill.

“We know as the weather gets colder, we will gather more indoors, and we know that’s okay,” he said. “But after all we’ve been through, we also know it’s important to do it safely. That means, especially wearing a mask if we have mild symptoms and considering wearing a mask in indoor public spaces.”

Dix also announced a dedicated provincial pediatric table which will be led by BC Children’s Hospital. It will coordinate pediatric resources and “rapidly respond to increased demand across the province.”

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