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| Health Minister Adrian Dix and Dr, Bonnie Henry, BC's Provincial Health officer delivered an update today on the latest findings related to coronavirus |
The Province of British Columbia and the Provincial Health Officer delivered an update for British Columbians on Friday, reviewing the latest notes on the positive test for 2019-nCoV, known as the coronavirus.
The joint statement from Health Minister Adrian Dix and Provincial Health Officer Bonnie Henry came after samples sent to the national lab in Winnipeg were tested and results were confirmed as positive.
The case, is so far the only confirmed account of the coronavirus in British Columbia, three others have been reported in Ontario to this point.
“In our statements, we committed to regularly provide the public with the number of cases tested each Friday. Going forward, the public are invited to visit the BC Centre for Disease Control’s website for an updated testing number each Friday.
As of today, we have tested 114 samples for 2019-nCoV, with one positive. Please note that there are more samples tested than patients, as some patients have had more than one sample tested."
The provincial officials also offered reassurance to residents in British Columbia that the risk for spread of the virus remains low and that no special precautions were required.
“We want to reassure people that the risk of this virus spreading within British Columbia remains low at this time. All necessary precautions are being taken to prevent the spread of infection. We have multiple systems in place to prepare for, detect and respond to prevent the spread of serious infectious diseases in the province.
It is not necessary for the general public to take special precautions beyond the usual measures recommended to prevent other common respiratory viruses during winter. Regular handwashing, coughing or sneezing into your elbow sleeve, disposing of tissues appropriately and avoiding contact with sick people are important ways to prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses, generally."
The province continues to watch over the state of the province's health indicators and note that anyone who is concerned that they may have been exposed to, or are experiencing symptoms of, the coronavirus should contact their primary care provider, local public health office, or call 811.
Provincial officials also reminded BC residents that translation services for 811 are available in more than 130 languages.
The province's statement of Friday can be reviewed here.
You can keep up with some of the international developments from our political blog D'Arcy McGee where we have been tracking both national and provincial accounts of the coronavirus findins through our Ottawa Observations Archive and that of our Victoria Viewpoints.
In British Columbia, residents can find out more information on the virus as well as on any changes to the situation in this province from the BC Centre for Disease Control.
Should there be any need for information for Northwest residents, those details will be relayed through Northern Health.
Northern Health website
Northern Health Facebook page
For more notes on Health in the region see our archive page here.
For up to date notes on the Canadian and British Columbia response to the virus see our archive page here.
To return to the most recent blog posting of the day, click here.
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