As the coronavirus numbers steadily increase in Canada, the government is issuing a call for travelers to come home. In British Columbia, officials are refocusing testing.
The Canadian government is asking for citizens to return while commercial flights are still available and before more countries go into quarantine. They are asking travelers, including those returning from the United States, to then self-isolate for 14 days.
In British Columbia, Chief Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says now only people who are sick in hospital, health care workers, residents of long -erm care homes, people involved with previous confirmed cases or those in clusters — which are geographically concentrated outbreaks — will be tested. She says this will give better information on the virus’s spread.
“The focus will be on ensuring that people will continue to test people in active investigations and cluster outbreaks because that's how we determine how this virus is spreading in our community,” Henry said.
Renowned Whistler and Blackcomb ski resort, north of Vancouver, has shut down most operations until at least March 22, as has Silverstar ski resort near Vernon. The Cypress ski resort in West Vancouver is closed until further notice.
For more information on COVID-19 in Canada, visit Health Canada or the B.C. Ministry of Health.
