SENT TO ALL STAFF, MEDICAL STAFF, STUDENTS AND VOLUNTEERS ON BEHALF OF
MARKO PELJHAN, VP, PANDEMIC PLANNING, AND DR. RICHARD STANWICK, VP POPULATION & PUBLIC HEALTH AND CHIEF MEDICAL HEALTH OFFICER
JANUARY 21, 2022
This morning, Dr. Bonnie Henry noted that data collected from December 14 to January 6 confirms that outside of being unvaccinated, the single most important risk factor for having severe COVID-19 illness requiring hospitalization is age. People who are aged 80 and older are 28 times more likely to be hospitalized with COVID-19 illness. People who have compromised immunity or are pregnant also have a higher risk for having more severe illness and ending up in hospital.
On the positive side, cases are slowing down in BC, and even those at very high risk have much lower
hospitalization rates right now than what we were seeing in the fall with Delta as the predominant strain.
We are also seeing that up-to-date vaccination reduces a person’s risk of serious illness and hospitalization by nine times. Slides showed that people who are vaccinated with three doses have less than 1% risk of hospitalization. “Even two doses reduces your risk substantially. But, if you are even younger, and you don't have vaccine on board, your chances of getting more severe illness go up dramatically, particularly if you have any of the underlying at-risk conditions that make it more likely,” Dr. Henry added.
On the topic of changes to contact tracing in the province, Dr. Henry shared that right up until the Delta wave, we were able to find most people in that five to seven-day incubation period, and have them isolate so they wouldn't be a risk to others. The Omicron variant is different. It’s highly infectious with a shorter incubation period, and many people will have mild or asymptomatic infections and won’t even realize that they are infected. To manage COVID today, we have to shift towards methods of management similar to other respiratory illnesses. We can’t eliminate all risk – but we can continue to employ the COVID safety measures that we know work, stay up-to-date on our vaccination status, self-monitor for symptoms, and self-manage our care at home when needed. These measures will help to keep our workplaces, schools and communities safe.
TESTING GUIDANCE UPDATED
The BCCDC has updated guidance on testing for COVID. Testing is now only recommended for people with symptoms who:
- are at highest risk of experiencing severe illness and may benefit from treatment, or
- live or work in high-risk settings such as healthcare workers, first responders, congregate settings where there are people at higher risk of severe outcomes, and communities with limited access to testing or care.
The Thrive app/self-assessment tool has been updated to reflect the new testing recommendations.
This new guidance means COVID testing for inpatients should only be used when it will change the management of their care. This change recognizes the controls we have in place to reduce transmission: all health care workers and most patients are fully vaccinated, PPE is used, and between-patient transmission is not common.
QUESTION OF THE DAY
What are the rules for sending a child to daycare if they have been a close contact of a COVID case, or if they have been sick themselves?
The BCCDC posted new guidance Wednesday, saying that close COVID-19 contacts can attend daycare without having to isolate if they are symptom-free. The document sets standards for child-care operators, removing the previous isolation guidelines. Staff or children who are exposed to COVID-19 may continue to attend child care, regardless of vaccination status, unless they develop symptoms and/or test positive for COVID-19.
SITE-BASED CLINICS OFFER DROP-IN BOOSTERS
Occupational Health and Safety will be providing drop-in COVID booster vaccination for Island Health staff and medical staff. Please check here for the schedule. There are also many appointments available at community sites for those who don’t have access to on-site clinics. Please note: community vaccination sites do not allow drop-ins for boosters (walk-ins only allowed for dose 1), so ensure you’re booked through www.getvaccinated.gov.bc.ca before you go.
If you haven’t yet identified as a health-care worker with ImmunizeBC, first make sure you’re registered in the www.getvaccinated.gov.bc.ca system, then self-identify as a health-care worker using this link [www.getvaccinated.gov.bc.ca/s/d3-target-self-identification] and access code: Y6383E!. Read more about the process and troubleshooting.
IMMUNIZATION UPDATE
PROVINCIAL UPDATE (Today)
- 2,364 people have newly-confirmed COVID-19 for a total of 308,079
- 9 new deaths, for a total of 2,529 COVID-19 related deaths in B.C.
- 33,997 people with active COVID-19 in B.C. – 924 in hospital, 130 in ICU/HAU
- See new stats and data on the BCCDC COVID-19 dashboard
Read today’s statement and transcript.
ISLAND HEALTH UPDATE (Today):
- 377 people have newly-confirmed COVID-19, for a total of 25,521*
- 5 new deaths since Jan 18, for a total of 162 COVID-19 related deaths in Island Health
- 1,632 people with active COVID-19 in Island Health:
- 851 South Island, 511 Central Island, 270 North Island
- 63 COVID-19 patients in hospital, plus 35 recovered (11 in ICU/HAU, plus 9 recovered)
- Current hospitalizations not fully vaccinated Non-Critical 46%, Critical Care 94%
- Current outbreaks: 21 LTC/AL sites and 1 acute care sites (see list here)
* Demographics and exposure information may only represent high priority cases.
COVID-19 Intranet Pages:
Since our last update, the following resources have either been added to, or revised and republished on, the COVID-19 Intranet pages.
Changes
COVID-19 Vaccines FAQs (Additional COVID-19 Vaccine Resources)
- COVID-19 Vaccination Clinical Guidance has been updated as follows:
- Reviewed and updated to be more concise now 17 pages instead of 20).
- The information in the previously titled section COVID-19 Urgent Vaccination Consult Guidance mRNA Vaccine has been moved up and is now listed under the appropriate topic (e.g. AEFI).
- Section 4.5 (What to do with remaining vaccine in 14-dose Moderna Spikevax vials after 20 punctures?) has been added.
- Section 8.4 (How do I manage requests for expedited vaccination?) has been updated.
Employee Health, Wellness and Safety
- Masking Policy at Island Health has been updated with the addition of the word ‘Excluding’ to the Environment column of the Patients section (page 4).
Outbreak Response
- COVID-19 Outbreak Acute Care Playbook email address links have been updated to @islandhealth.ca.
Patient Placement and Transport
- COVID-19 Recommendations for Drivers and Passengers Eye protection while driving has been clarified.
PPE-Ordering
- Supplemental PPE Ordering Guide ordering information on non-medical grade masks has been removed.
External
Check out what is New Today on the BCCDC website.
Have a question or concern about COVID-19? Email pandemic@islandhealth.ca.
Follow us and retweet/share COVID safety messaging: Twitter • Facebook • Instagram