While the COVID-19 trajectory in the province continues to improve, we're being told to not expect life to return to normal anytime soon. (B.C. Government)

By Ian Holmes

COVID-19 update

British Columbians told COVID-19 restrictions expected to last for months

Apr 17, 2020 | 1:44 PM

NANAIMO — The province’s top doctor cautions life won’t return to normal for months as progress continues in the battle against COVID-19 in B.C.

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry presented new B.C. modelling projections of the virus on Friday, April 17, depicting several positive trends.

However, Dr. Henry said it’s unclear when numerous restrictions limiting social contact can begin to be lifted.

“It’s not going to be the same, our new normal for the coming months and it may be some time, there are going to be modifications of what we’re seeing now.”

Dr. Henry said it’s important to start looking at how some aspects of society can begin to re-open, but said it’s unclear when that will happen and what it will look like.

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“How much contact still protects us in our communities and our families, but allows us to open things up. I can’t tell you exactly what it looks like, but I can tell you we’re looking at every specific part of our society,” Dr. Henry said.

She said based on the province’s ability to flatten the COVID-19 curve there is room to promote more social contact, re-open some businesses and allow the health system to deal with other priorities like cancelled surgeries.

Dr. Henry acknowledged the sacrifices British Columbians have made to help slow the spread of COVID-19.

She said it’s important people continue physical distancing.

“We are going to develop an evidence based and thoughtful plan for our way forward,” Dr. Henry said.

The second of a series of modelling projections tracking the spread of COVID-19 in the province showed while deaths are increasing, most other indicators are favourable.

Health minister Adrian Dix said we’ll need to strike the right balance as a society over the next 12 to 18 months.

“We know that this pandemic won’t be over until a significant portion, a majority of the world’s population, becomes immune to this new virus and that will not happen for some time,” Dix said.

While hopeful with efforts to develop a vaccine, it will take time, Dix said.

The health minister said he’s encouraged by the latest data, which will help formulate a path forward in how our society functions in the foreseeable future.

“The key findings are that we’re well below the projections based on the Italian and Hubei (China) experiences. B.C. COVID-19 cases have plateaued and started to decline in terms of hospitalization and critical care.”

Canada’s public health officer Dr. Theresa Tam said Friday the battle against COVID-19 is a marathon, not a sprint. Dr. Tam said physical distancing and economic shutdowns must stay in place to prevent the pandemic from flaring up.

COVID-19 has closed or drastically scaled back most businesses in the province.

Social distancing provisions to slow transmission of the contagious coronavirus were elevated on March 16 when Dr. Henry prohibited crowds larger than 50 from gathering.

Non-essential travel is discouraged in the province.

There are 94 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the Island Health region, including three deaths.

Province-wide there are 514 active cases of the virus.

A total of 1,575 confirmed COVID-19 cases have been detected in B.C., while 78 people have passed away from the virus in B.C.

— with files from The Canadian Press

ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes