Changes made to COVID-19 self-isolation requirements in B.C.

Symptom-free people who test positive for COVID-19 are no longer required to self-isolate, the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) has announced.

The BCCDC made the announcement on Thursday, outlining guidelines for treatment and isolation when you contract the virus.

Those who present with symptoms are still being advised to self-isolate, the health agency says.

Read more:

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

Those who work in settings with higher-risk individuals are asked to refer to specific workplace policies for guidance, the BCCDC advises.

COVID-19 symptoms include fevers and chills, cough, a loss of sense of smell or taste, difficulty in breathing, sore throat, and a runny nose.

Should you need to isolate, you’re advised to stay home in your own room, not to go to public places, and do not to have visitors unless they are home health care providers, according to the health agency.

As more public health restrictions are being lifted, the agency reminds the public that getting vaccinated is still the best way to prevent the spread of the virus.

Public health doctor addresses quiet announcement

With the announcement of the change to isolation requirements flying somewhat under the radar, the Director of Vancouver Infectious Diseases Centre, Dr. Brian Conway, admits the messaging could have been better communicated.

“Language is everything in this field, and it gets subtle sometimes. The BCCDC here says to use your judgement, but in many situations, it might be a good idea – but they’re also not forcing you to. Should they have come out and said that this is a significant change – probably not a bad idea since now it’s been sussed out by some media outlets and it’s becoming a big deal,” he told CityNews.

Conway says that ultimately, controlling the spread of COVID-19 is everyone’s “individual responsibility.”

“I think it’s about individual responsibility here, so your first one is to get your shots. And rather than relying on the Government to tell us what we have to do and what not to, we need to do things with the understanding that it’s what we have to to keep society going,” he explained.

Conway further noted that B.C. is falling seriously behind on vaccinations, going as far as describing the province as “an unvaccinated state.”

“When Dr. Henry mentioned the other day that 53 per cent of people in British Columbia received three shots, it turns out that most of those received them a long time ago, so only 20 per cent of the people have received three shots, with the last shot being in the last three months,” he said. “That is essentially an unvaccinated state, the vaccine has worn off by now so you need another shot. 80 per cent of British Columbians need another shot and we need to get that out there”\

Isolation requirements for COVID-19 have changed in B.C. throughout the pandemic. In March 2020, people were required to isolate for 14 days, eventually being brought down as time went on.

Despite an increase in COVID-19, flu, and RSV cases across the country with many hospitals overwhelmed, Canada is not bringing back a mandatory mask mandate.