News
October 18, 2021
Update to Communicable Disease Control Manual, Chapter 2: Immunization, Part 4 – Biological Products
This document has been updated for the 2021-22 influenza season, and includes revisions related to infection prevention and control recommendations per updated Provincial Infection Control Network (PICNet) guidance.
October 15, 2021
Pandemic Planning COVID-19 Update
On October 15th, the long anticipated Provincial Health Order mandating COVID-19 vaccines for acute and community health-care workers was posted. A memo was shared with all staff and medical staff this afternoon to provide further clarity on the process, and a subsequent update was made to the online version regarding the weeks of unpaid leave.
October 15, 2021
58 New Cases, Island Health Total 9,681
This document includes information on: case count by status, case count by geography, number of new cases per day, case exposures and an exposure legend.
October 15, 2021
B.C. COVID-19 pandemic update
As of Friday, Oct. 15, 2021, 89.0% (4,126,668) of eligible people 12 and older in B.C. have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine and 83.0% (3,848,689) received their second dose.
October 15, 2021
Mandatory Vaccination – Expanded PHO Order
On September 13, 2021, the Provincial Health Officer announced that all employees in the health sector will be required to be fully (two doses) vaccinated against COVID-19 by October 26, 2021. The PHO order was released today and applies to all individuals employed by Island Health, contracted by Island Health and those registered with a professional college (including students and faculty members).
October 15, 2021
Updated: Tocilizumab injection or sarilumab injection for COVID-19: Use and Access
The “Tocilizumab injection or sarilumab injection for COVID-19: Use and Access” memo was updated to reflect new restriction wording. The use of tocilizumab injection or sarilumab injection is restricted to prescribing or approval by Intensivists or Infectious Disease physicians. References to wards or locations have been removed.
October 15, 2021
Order of the PHO: Hospital and Community COVID-19 Vaccination Status Information and Preventive Measures
This PHO order explains that all employees in the health sector will be required to be fully (two doses) vaccinated against COVID-19 by October 26, 2021. Staff who are partially vaccinated (i.e. one dose) may be permitted to continue working past October 26, provided they follow preventive measures, until they receive their second dose, which must be within 35 days of their first dose. Information about unvaccinated staff is shared within the document.
October 15, 2021
Update: COVID-19 outbreak at Tofino General Hospital
Island Health’s outbreak response has identified one additional patient case related to the COVID-19 outbreak declared at Tofino General Hospital (TGH) on October 12.
October 15, 2021
BCCDC COVID-19 Long Term Care, Assisted Living & Independent Living Report
A weekly update for Long-Term Care, Assisted Living & Independent Living Facilities.
October 15, 2021
COVID Vaccine Confidence FAQs
Undecided about getting a COVID-19 vaccine? Here we address some of the common concerns that may be keeping you from getting vaccinated. If your question(s) is/are not answered here, email pandemic@viha.ca and we’ll do our best to get you the information you need.