UPDATED: IH patient testing positive for COVID-19 in 'stable condition'
By Contributor
The Nelson Daily reached out to the Ministry of Health Saturday following the afternoon news conference in Vancouver updating the public on the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) that announced that one of the nine new cases confirmed was in the Interior Health region.
The nine new cases brought the total cases in the province to 73.
Ministry staff would not confirm where the patient lives in the IH region, only that the person was in “stable condition”.
“The Interior Health patient is in stable condition in isolation at home,” the Ministry media spokesperson said.
The other cases were in Vancouver Coastal and Fraser Health regions.
“Anyone who may be at risk of exposure to COVID-19 gets contacted by the public health officials who are supporting confirmed cases and their close contacts,” said Dr. Bonnie Henry, Provincial Health Officer of B.C., explaining why health officials do not release more information regarding patients testing for COVID-19.
“We will not be identifying the specific location of confirmed cases unless public health providers cannot be certain they have reached all those who need to be contacted and who therefor might be a risk to the public,” Dr. Henry adds.
Dr. Henry said the province wants people with symptoms who contact provincial health department to feel safe, knowing their privacy will be protected so the steps to protect the health and safety for all can be taken.
“This is why privacy is important to everyone,” said Dr. Henry. “It allows public health providers to do the work they need to do to keep everybody safe.”
Nine new COVID-19 cases in B.C., including report of individual in Interior Health
Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, and Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.’s provincial health officer, have issued the following joint statement regarding updates on the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) response in British Columbia:
“We are announcing nine new cases of COVID-19, for a total of 73 cases in British Columbia. The individuals are in the Vancouver Coastal, Fraser and Interior health regions, and were confirmed positive based on BC Centre for Disease Control testing.
“Five cases are connected to a cluster at the Lynn Valley Care Centre, one case is linked to travel from Portugal and the remaining three cases are under investigation.
“Public health teams continue to be on site at both the Lynn Valley Care Centre and the Hollyburn House Retirement Residence, working to contain potential transmission to other residents and workers”
Henry said just one of the new cases announced Saturday was related to travel — the person testing positive in the Interior Health Region recently returned from travel to several places in Europe.
“From the outset, we have been proactive in our efforts. Our approach has been to get ahead of increasing risks and do all we can to break the chains of transmission, and we will continue to do so.
“We are adapting our testing strategy to respond to the situation here in B.C. to ensure all who get sick can get the testing they need.
“We would like to be clear that testing is available for all who need it, but not everyone requires a test. If you have no symptoms, mild symptoms, or are a returning traveller and isolating at home, you do not require a test.
“We are continuing to test those who are part of an active investigation or outbreak cluster, those with severe illness who are hospitalized, residents of long-term care facilities and health-care workers.
“We ask all British Columbians to be measured in their purchase of groceries and other basic necessities. Our retail supply-chain providers have assured us they have an abundance of supply and are restocking regularly. There is no need to stockpile.
“If you have questions about self-isolating, caring for yourself and your family, and whether you may require a test, the BCCDC website continues to be an important first point for the latest information: http://bccdc.ca“
Learn More:
For federal government recommendations on cruise ship travel, visit: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/latest-travel-health-advice.html#cruise
