The black dotted lines indicate when physical distancing measures were put in place and the curve began to flatter. (Gov't of BC)

By Spencer Sterritt

covid-19

1 new Vancouver Island COVID-19 case; men revealed as more likely to be hospitalized

May 4, 2020 | 1:52 PM

NANAIMO — New details were revealed about the COVID-19 pandemic and who is most susceptible.

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry revealed on Monday, May 4 women are more likely to get COVID-19, but men are more likely to require hospitalization and pass away.

She said this is a phenomenon seen around the world in every country hit hard by the respiratory virus.

“There’s a lot of work being done to understand the phenomenon. We’re looking at this in great detail, we’re watching what’s happening in other countries but until we have a vaccine, we know it’s going to be here in some way.”

She announced one additional COVID-19 case on Vancouver Island since Saturday, May 2.

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This brings the total number of active or resolved cases on Vancouver Island to 124.

More than 100 have recovered.

Across B.C. there’s now 2,224 confirmed COVID-19 cases.

Details about the plan to re-open B.C. are expected on Wednesday, May 6.

Dr. Henry gave a preview, showing what the case numbers would look like if restrictions were lifted at different levels.

With up to 60 per cent of normal lifestyle choices being made, such as opening more essential services, being able to see a few more people and not staying in as much, the flattened curve of COVID-19 cases was expected to continue.

However, if people connect with others at 80 per cent of normal, COVID-19 cases would sharply increase beyond what the health system has already had to cope with.

“Our challenge and our work together is to find that sweet spot, somewhere around increasing our contacts by at least twice as many as we have now but without allowing those opportunities for rapidly exponential growth of the virus in our community.”

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