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Province outlines notification plans for summer heat events; Kamloops readies Voyent! Alert app

Province outlines notification plans for summer heat events; Kamloops readies Voyent! Alert app

During the heat event last year, B.C.’s ambulance system was run off its feet responding to 9-1-1 calls. To limit wait times, Health Minister Adrian Dix says more paramedics and dispatchers have been hired and additional ambulances have been brought in.

“For instance, staff may be reassigned to support areas experiencing higher call volumes and we may take measures to reduce turnaround time at hospitals.”

For heat waves, fires, floods, train derailments or any other urgent emergency, Kamloops brought in the Voyent! Alert app, which Mayor Ken Christian says will allow the city to send immediate notifications out to users.

“I would encourage residents to download the Voyent! app if they haven’t already and we’re going to have a test of that system at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday (June 8),” adds Christian.

The app will be used in addition to other measures the City enacts each year during prolonged heat, such as opening cooling centres. Christian notes that there’s also a certain level of community thoughtfulness that needs to be part of the response.

“I think we learned a lesson last year. We lost six lives in Kamloops because of heat exposure and I think many of them were in un-air-conditioned apartment buildings and they just were left alone. And what we really need to focus on is wellness checks,” reiterates Christian. “Know your neighbour, know your family members, check on them during periods of extreme heat.”

Extreme heat emergencies such as the heat dome of 2021 are expected once or twice a decade, according to the province. But it’s anticipated heat warnings could be issued as often as two or three times each summer.

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COVID-19: Province lifts proof of vaccination requirement for events and restaurants; booster shots starting for those over 70

COVID-19: Province lifts proof of vaccination requirement for events and restaurants; booster shots starting for those over 70
Health Minister Adrian Dix. Government of B.C. photo

VICTORIA – As people in B.C. continue to get vaccinated, the province continues with previously announced plans to further lift COVID-19 restrictions, while protecting those most at risk with the launch of the spring booster vaccine program.

“Thanks to the many British Columbians who have stayed up to date on their COVID-19 vaccines, we are seeing high levels of immunity and protection in our communities,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, in a news release. “Boosters are an important part of continuing to protect those who are most at risk as restrictions continue to be lifted, and I encourage everyone to make time in their day to get a booster dose.”

To protect seniors, the province has begun rolling out a spring booster vaccine program for seniors in long-term care and assisted living facilities. Community-dwelling seniors over the age of 70 and Indigenous people over the age of 55 will also begin receiving their invitations for their spring booster dose – a new booster dose for eligible seniors who received their third shot six months ago or more. People can use their invitation to schedule their appointment in health authority clinics or at participating pharmacies. A call centre will also continue to be available for those who are not able to book online.

People who are clinically extremely vulnerable (CEV) continue to be prioritized for their COVID-19 vaccinations. Those who have received their full three-dose primary series are eligible for their first booster dose about six months after their previous dose.

The spring booster vaccine program will provide a new boost of immunity for eligible seniors, as public health has indicated immunity in older people can wane in that time. The new booster will help to maintain and lengthen protection against severe outcomes of COVID-19, especially hospitalization and death.

The first booster shot provides protection in all ages and anyone who has not yet received their first booster dose are strongly encouraged to do so as soon as possible. Booster doses will be either the Moderna or Pfizer (mRNA) vaccine. Both vaccines are effective, interchangeable and you may receive either.

“Today, as we continue our progress managing COVID-19, we are easing restrictions and, at the same time, taking important steps to boost our immunity and keep people safe,” said Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.’s provincial health officer. “As we all do our part – to get vaccinated, use our layers of protection and stay home when we are ill, we will continue to adjust our response as the pandemic evolves.”

Starting on Friday, April 8, 2022, at 12:01 a.m., the following changes will take place:

  • Showing the BC Vaccine Card proof of vaccination to access events, services and businesses will no longer be required. Individual businesses and organizations can choose to continue requiring the BC Vaccine Card on their premises.
  • The remainder of the Workplace Safety Order will expire, which means that businesses are transitioning back to communicable disease plans to reduce risk of all communicable disease.
  • The requirement for students residing in residence to be fully vaccinated under the Post-secondary Institution Housing COVID-19 Preventative Measures Order will be repealed.

The easing of restrictions is based on ongoing and careful review of data by the provincial health officer and the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC). Everyone will adjust to the changes in restrictions at their own pace, and it is important to be respectful of other people’s comfort levels.

Vaccinations remain the primary layer of protection that have limited severe health outcomes from COVID-19. Of all eligible adults in B.C., 93.8 per cent (4,057,726 people) have received their first dose, 91.5% (3,957,573 people) received their second dose and 59.5 per cent (2,571,726 people) have received a third dose.

B.C. has also increased the supply of rapid tests, helping people monitor and manage mild COVID-19 symptoms at home. Currently, rapid antigen tests, in kits of five tests, are available to people aged 18 years and older through community pharmacies. As of Monday, April 11, 2022, citizens can pick up rapid tests without needing to show their B.C. personal health number.

As of Monday, April 4, 2022, nine million tests have been shipped to pharmacy distributors with more than 4.3 million rapid tests dispensed through more than 1,300 participating pharmacies. Across all priority populations and pharmacies, more than 40 million tests have been distributed.

The province, provincial health officer and BC Centre for Disease Control will continue to monitor COVID-19 cases, hospitalization, critical care and death rates very closely in the weeks and months ahead.

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Province investing $1M towards large-scale event bids as part of new tourism roadmap

Province investing $1M towards large-scale event bids as part of new tourism roadmap

The Province of B.C. has announced it will be investing $1 million towards bid preparation and sponsorships to attract large-scale events as part of a new three-year roadmap to revitalize tourism.

As part of this new roadmap — focused on rebuilding tourism in British Columbia as the province emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic — a $1 million investment will be made towards event-bid preparation with the hopes of attracting arts, culture, and sport events, and public conferences and exhibitions.

The Province believes that investing now in event programs will help to kick-start the events industry’s recovery and will position B.C. as a safe, world-class, event-hosting jurisdiction once again.

The investment into bids for events is part of a renewed Strategic Framework for Tourism that is aimed at supporting the province’s economic recovery from COVID-19.

“B.C. is a world-class destination, and we know the pandemic has hurt tourism,” said Melanie Mark, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport. “As the world opens up again, we’re working together to rebuild and revitalize this critical industry that adds so much to our planet, our people and our shared prosperity.”

Overall, the Province says the updated framework focuses on provincial priorities of putting people first; lasting and meaningful reconciliation; equity and anti-racism; a better future through fighting climate change; and a strong, sustainable economy.

In addition to the $1 million that the government will be putting towards event bids, another $8 million was recently allotted for the Business Events and Conferences Restart Fund, which is aimed at sparking a restart in business travel by attracting and hosting business events, conferences and exhibitions.

READ MORE: Horgan says B.C. still exploring options to host games during 2026 FIFA World Cup

“Every single person connected to the tourism industry has demonstrated incredible fortitude and leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Mark said. “I have been constantly impressed by the dedication and hard work of tourism operators and staff to pivot, realign their businesses and take care of each other. Now, together, we’re going to build back stronger by making our mark to ensure B.C. is first in line to benefit from pent-up demand for world-class tourism experiences.”

The Province says that a “flourishing” tourism industry is a key pillar of the StrongerBC Economic Plan as the province rebounds from COVID-19. The new roadmap, released on Friday, is aimed at restoring the tourism sectors to the 2019 levels by 2024.

Also part of the Province’s continuing tourism recovery initiatives, the government has committed $6 million this year through 2024 for Destination BC to market the province as a destination of choice to an international market.

An additional $2 million is being put towards post-secondary education and training to support B.C. students who enrol in tourism and hospitality certificate, diploma or degree programs, tourism-related apprenticeships, and trades training and development programs.

“We are very enthused about the Province’s further investment in tourism recovery,” said Walt Judas, CEO, Tourism Industry Association of BC. “These funds come at an opportune time as our industry looks to rebuild our workforce, products and service levels to once again welcome guests from all over the world in the months and years ahead.”

In total, Budget 2022 committed almost $25 million to destination development, international marketing, business events and conferences recovery, marquee events bids, and tourism training.

More information on B.C.’s updated tourism framework can be found here.

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Edmonton-area doctors call on province to provide more data on opioid poisoning events

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Edmonton-area doctors are calling on the province to release more localized data on overdoses to better address the drug poisoning crisis.

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In a statement Monday, the Edmonton Zone Medical Staff Association’s Opioid Poisoning Committee (OPC) said they have twice requested the release of local geographical area data for opioid poisoning-related deaths and calls made to emergency medical services on the Alberta’s Substance Use Surveillance System (ASUSS) dashboard.

Between January and October of 2021, there have been 1,372 deaths related to drug poisoning in the province, the latest data shows, and there were 153 EMS responses to opioid-related events between Jan. 24 to Jan. 30.

It is imperative that this information be added to the publicly facing dashboard, and by extension that it be provided in a timely manner,” the OPC states.

“This information helps mobilize the resources and efforts in the communities to reduce incidents of harm and death, ensuring that those working on the front lines of this effort can be where they need to be. The information would not impact the privacy of Albertans but would identify and support neighbourhoods that are being most impacted by this crisis.”

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Letters were sent to Health Minister Jason Copping in December and associate minister of mental health and addictions Mike Ellis in January requesting the data, but there has been no response, the OPC said.

Ellis’ press secretary Eric Engler said in a statement the ASUSS is the most comprehensive reporting tool in the country “with respect to addiction-related harms.”

“We continually work to enhance the data available on ASUSS, for example, the recently added ‘location of opioid deaths’ tab,” Engler said.

The location of deaths tab provides statistics on the number of deaths that occurred in private residences lived in and owned by the individual, private residences owned by another individual, the public, hotels, and other facilities. In Q3 2021, 51 per cent of opioid poisonings occurred in private residences owned by the individual who died.

The last time the province publicly provided neighbourhood-level data was in the Q2 2020 opioid surveillance report . Engler did not answer questions on why neighbourhood-level reporting has not been provided since then.

“We will be happy to work with individual stakeholder groups who provide outreach services and help them to focus their efforts,” Engler said.

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Event companies push province for clear reopening plan after receiving no government help | CBC News

Event companies push province for clear reopening plan after receiving no government help | CBC News

An event company owner has penned an open letter to the B.C. government, asking for it to consider re-allowing wedding receptions and events — with safety plans in place — after the company was denied funding.

Spotlight Events owner Paige Petriw says she applied for the COVID-19 Closure Relief Grant, but was not given funding because her company was not ordered to fully close to comply with public health orders.

“It’s just a lack of consideration for the nature of our industry and the way our businesses are structured,” said Petriw in a phone interview.

Eligible businesses include bars and nightclubs that don’t serve full meals, gym and fitness centres and event venues that can no longer hold events due to cancellations.

Under current provincial health orders, indoor organized gatherings of any size are not allowed, including wedding and funeral receptions. Outdoor organized gatherings are allowed, but with some restrictions. 

On Jan. 19, the government said it was extending the COVID-19 Closure Relief Grant and doubling financial supports for eligible businesses that were ordered to remain closed until Feb. 16.

Company owners are eligible for up to $20,000 in total funding, based on staffing levels at the time of closure.

Owner of Pacific Fairytales — a company that specializes in children’s events and entertainment — Kirsty Provan says her company has lost around 75 per cent of its profit since the beginning of the pandemic. 

Provan was also denied funding under the COVID-19 Closure Relief Grant because her business wasn’t forced to fully close under the public health order.

Provan said she would like to see proof that events held at stadiums like sports games are less dangerous than a small event with 12 children from the same school class. 

“What are the statistics that are showing that, that is actually much more dangerous than a stadium event?” she said.

The Ministry of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation said in a statement on Sunday the grant program is designed to complement existing federal COVID-19 business supports including those that are available to businesses that remained open but experienced a drop in revenue due to the pandemic.

“We know this is a very challenging time for businesses — especially those businesses that were directly impacted by recent public health measures,” the ministry said in the statement.

Paige Petriw, the owner of Spotlight Events, says she applied for the COVID-19 Closure Relief Grant, but was not given funding because her company was not ordered to fully close to comply with public health orders. (Doug Kerr/CBC News)

Petriw said the industry is asking to “operate professionally managed indoor events and gatherings under specific guidelines and restrictions,” according to the letter.

The letter also called for the government to clearly define professionally managed events and non-professionally managed indoor gatherings and events, and to have specific restrictions put in place based on the type of event. 

Petriw and Pravon said they hope the Ministry of Health will consider meeting with event companies to come up with a safe reopening plan that includes restrictions in accordance with the current public health order.

“We’re really on the brink of not many businesses being able to survive,” Petriw said.

CBC News also contacted the Ministry of Health to ask about plans to safely reopen the event industry, but did not hear back.

Businesses that have applied for a COVID-19 Closure Relief Grant do not need to reapply. To apply for a grant, click here. Applications will be accepted until Feb. 28.