Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry unveiled new cases of COVID-19 in B.C., a day after the government outlined their plans for re-opening the economy. (BC Government Flickr)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

STAY THE COURSE

‘Not everyone will be ready to increase their social connection:’ patience preached during COVID-19 restart

May 7, 2020 | 3:23 PM

NANAIMO — There are two new cases of COVID-19 confirmed on Vancouver Island.

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry confirmed 126 active or resolved cases were now in the Island Health region during her Thursday press conference. The increase is among 33 new positive tests across B.C. for a total of 2,288 province-wide.

The number of people recovering from the virus continued to increase. More than 1,500 people have recovered from the virus, leaving 650 active cases in B.C.

Two people remain in hospital on Vancouver Island, among 76 hospitalizations across B.C.

Dr. Henry encouraged British Columbians to take a slow, steady and measured approach to the re-opening plan announced by Premier Horgan on Wednesday, May 6.

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“Not everyone will be ready to increase their social connection or restart their businesses at the same time. We don’t expect that on one day all of a sudden everything will be open and back to normal.”

Henry added guidelines will be presented in the coming days to help businesses meet gradually lighter restrictions the province will have in place.

Phase two of the plan is expected to begin following the May long weekend, with many businesses granted the opportunity to re-open under the new-normal.

“Some restaurants and bars, some hair salons may not open. Like every family, every business is also unique and depends on who works there, who you serve and the physical setup of your business.”

Dr. Henry said the relaxing of restrictions put in place due to COVID-19 does not signal a departure from what has gotten the province to this point.

“It’s still very much a necessity for all of us to continue our safe, physical distancing. washing our hands regularly, avoiding non-essential personal travel…those are things that will not change as we move to phase two in the coming days.”

Also discussed was the expanding of social ‘bubbles’, including extended family members or other close contacts to gradually increase social interaction.

Dr. Henry said the nature of people’s work and family make-up will determine how far residents are willing to expand in the early stages.

“All of us need to think about who we are bringing into our bubble, our orbit as we move into the second phase and in many cases we’ll be able to increase our bubble.”

She cautioned seniors, those who are sick, undergoing cancer treatment or awaiting surgery against increasing their personal bubbles too quickly.

The province also announced two additional deaths, bringing the number of people who have lost their lives due to COVID-19 to 126. Both were residents in long-term care facilities in the Lower Mainland.

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