‘Perfect storm’ to hit B.C. health-care system this fall: local doctor warns

With COVID-19 cases currently rising in B.C., one Burnaby-based family doctor warns the health-care system could be shaken this fall and winter with a lot of people getting sick.

Dr. Davidicus Wong says in addition to that virus, RSV is also circulating in communities on the cusp of cold and flu season.

He explains COVID-19 didn’t disappear this summer, and believes people aren’t following the directions given earlier in the pandemic, like masking or washing your hands consistently.

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“We are seeing COVID carry through all the way through the summer,” said Wong. “It was off their radar. They thought they had a cold. And I knew things were going to get worse because people weren’t aware of the last spring vaccine boosters that they could get.”

“People weren’t talking about COVID anymore, but they were getting it and they weren’t testing for it.”

Wong points out he’s hearing from patients who can’t find test kits and says recently expired ones aren’t as reliable.

He says as people move indoors more when the temperatures drop, the risk increases.

“We can acquire colds, flu, RSV, and, of course, COVID,” said Wong. “It’s just going to get worse. It’s almost a perfect storm.”

The updated COVID-19 booster shot is expected to be made available next month, along with the flu shot, which is free for most people in this province.

“Wait until the new vaccine comes out, so not much protection for those who haven’t had a booster or haven’t had COVID recently, but at least we can get our flu shots to help reduce the risk. We expect to be a lot busier. We expect our patients to be a lot sicker.”

Wong thinks it’s time people consider wearing masks again and suggests they do so as soon as they start to feel sick.

“The masking is not comfortable, it is kind of tiring wearing a mask all day long, but we have to do what we have to do, especially if we have vulnerable people at home.”

He says the other risk this fall is getting sick with back-to-back illnesses. Having one virus or infection, feeling recovered, and then getting sick again right away.

“That’s why we want to prevent the flu. If you have influenza, you’re vulnerable, your immune system is stressed and you’re liable to get exposed to other infections, like bacteria and you might come down with bacterial pneumonia after getting exposed to a second [illness].”

The provincial government says flu shots should start to roll out in October, however, a set date for availability has yet to be announced.