Feature photo via Unsplash
By Loose Lips Mag
@looselipsmag
As of March 31, there are 1,013 confirmed cases of the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), an illness caused by a coronavirus, in British Columbia. It is the province with the third-highest numbers of confirmed cases in Canada, preceded only by Quebec and Ontario.
According to the CDC (Centre for Disease Control) website, 43,229 tests were completed in the province.
However, the total number of cases in the province is unknown, as those with or without symptoms are advised to assume they have the virus and self-isolate. Information on the virus widely states that those who are young, healthy and living without autoimmune diseases and histories of respiratory illness should, if infected, make a full recovery at home with lots of rest and fluids. In efforts to contain the spread of the virus, self-quarantine after travel is now a federal order, not just a suggestion
While the numbers of confirmed cases grow incrementally each day, many others in the province are exhibiting symptoms that fall in line with COVID-19 but are unable to receive testing.
Classified a global pandemic by the World Health Organization on March 11, the Canadian government soon followed suit, with British Columbia declaring a state of emergency on March 19.
The bulk of the cases are in Vancouver Coastal Health and Fraser Health areas, which includes Metro Vancouver. At this time, clusters are the primary concern for health officials, meaning communities with multiple confirmed cases and long term care facilities.
So, how do you get tested?
For those who are concerned they’re exhibiting a few symptoms, there are a couple steps to start off the process of assessment.
First, there’s an online self-assessment tool which is a questionnaire to help you determine if you may need further testing. There is also the free-of-charge provincial health information and advice phone line in British Columbia: 8-1-1.
Operated by HealthLink BC, part of the Ministry of Health, 8-1-1 connects you to a health service navigator, who can then help you find health information and services, or connect you directly with a registered nurse.
According to the BC COVID-19 online self-assessment tool, “Most people do not need to be tested for COVID-19 because it will not change your care.” If the self-assessment tool determines that your symptoms fall in line with the virus but are not severe, your next steps are to self-isolate for at least 10 days. It does not, however, guarantee that you will be granted a test.
During the March 25 live press conference with Dr. Bonnie Henry, the Provincial Health Officer for British Columbia, a reporter from the CBC asked, “CDC is hearing from many people who don’t know where they got the virus but still aren’t being tested. Wondering if you can clarify the current testing strategy. Is it to test everyone who’s transmision/infection source can’t be traced?”
Dr. Henry responded, “Not everyone. It depends a little bit on the community, what the public health people know about that. We are focusing on where it makes the most difference and where it makes the most difference in protecting the health care system. So, as you know, we are focusing on health care workers and the health system. So, for the most part, if you have a mild illness and it can be managed at home and you’re in isolation, and you’re not going to pass it on to others, you may or not be tested, depending on whether or not there’s a cluster that’s detected around you in particular.”
Frontline workers such as Emergency Room doctors and nurses are preparing for a possible influx of new patients, and are aligned with Dr. Henry: not everyone needs to come to the ER and get tested.
“Right now, I feel like we still have a bit of calm before the storm. We’re all busy preparing for that storm. And it’s stressful, because we’re preparing for something we’ve never had to deal with before,” says emergency physician Dr. Kevin Wishlow works at various facilities, including Richmond Hospital where, he confirms, they have already dealt with COVID-positive patients.
“A large majority of our patients come in who are concerned they have COVID, even though their symptoms don’t necessarily match a standard COVID presentation,” he says, noting that those patients won’t necessarily get tested just because they show up to the Emergency Room.
So, then, who does get tested?
“The criteria for testing is changing all the time,” Dr. Wishlow says. “From who and what we were testing a month or two ago, has now been an evolving pattern.”
On March 31, the death toll in Canada climbed above 1,000, and Dr. Henry announced that restrictions could very well last until the summer. So far, there have been 24 deaths in the province due to COVID-19 and 507 people have recovered.
“It’s more and more [unlikely] that we’re going to be able to get back to full normal life — which I miss a lot — before at least the summer, and then we need to start preparing ourselves for the potential of a second wave in the fall,” she said.
According to Global News, she says the severity of that wave and how it will affect public health measures depends on how well people comply with the current restrictions, such as staying home, avoiding gatherings and remaining two metres apart.
“We need to continue coming together as a community and do that virtually. We need you to be kind and we need everybody to do their part,” Dr. Henry said the March 26 press conference. “Everyday that we stay home, and we do what we are asked to do, brings us a day closer to returning back to our normal life.”
Kristi and Brittany are the co-founders and co-editors of Loose Lips Mag. Together with junior social media coordinator and writer Tayvie, they’re building their feminist media empire—leaving the patriarchy, charcuterie boards and empty bottles of wine in their wake. Loose Lips Media is grateful to operate on the unceded Coast Salish territory of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations
