British Columbia’s top doctor says the current wave of COVID-19 is causing fewer serious illnesses and that requires a shift to shorter isolations to minimize societal disruption and preserve the healthcare system.
dr Bonnie Henry said unvaccinated adults who tested positive were at risk of longer-lasting and more severe illness and would need to be isolated for 10 days, but for those who were vaccinated, staying home for five days was enough.
Children are at much lower risk of serious illness and are able to clear an infection more quickly, so five days of isolation is appropriate for them too, and there is mounting evidence that their social development requires them to interact with others, Henry said on Friday .
People who have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 infection don’t need to stay home because everyone can assume they’ve been in contact with someone who has contracted the virus, she said.
“We cannot eliminate all risks and I think that’s something we need to understand and accept as this virus has changed and become part of what we will live with in the years to come.”
Vaccination remains the best way to drastically reduce the risk of a serious illness that leads to hospitalization, particularly for vulnerable groups and people over 70, Henry said.
Preventing infection should also include “the basics” of washing hands regularly, wearing a quality mask indoors and holding small gatherings, she said, adding extra care to adding those at higher risk.
The precautions are the same as those used to treat other respiratory illnesses, including influenza and the common cold, Henry said.
“Especially if you have a fever, you need to stay home and stay away from others. But if you have a mild illness like a sore throat or runny nose, stay at home. And if you feel better the next day, you can go back to school, work or childcare.”
Testing for COVID-19 isn’t recommended for most people with mild symptoms, but those who are immunocompromised and over the age of 70 could get a more serious illness and likely need testing, she said.
Henry says COVID-19 is far from an endemic disease, so the restrictions currently in place are needed to prevent further hospital admissions, although those numbers have been falling.
Events with over 1,000 people are limited to 50 percent capacity and all sports tournaments have been suspended until February 16. Bars and nightclubs must also remain closed until then.
“Because of the amount of transmission we’ve seen and the amount of immunity we’ve developed from vaccination and transmission of Omicron, we’re likely to have a much gentler summer than we’ve had in the past two summers,” he said Henry. “And then we need to prepare for what’s next in the fall.”
Health Secretary Adrian Dix said BC will receive over 15.7 million rapid tests by mid-February for distribution to long-term and assisted-living centers, healthcare facilities, schools and post-secondary institutions.
– Camille Bains, The Canadian Press
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