Wednesday, April 17, 2024 (British Columbia) – Independent public health groups Protect Our Province BC, DoNoHarm BC, and Masks4EastVan are calling on the BC government to restore healthcare mask requirements. They are urging British Columbians to call for airborne pathogen protections in clinical settings by joining DoNoHarm BC’s campaign.
Comments closedMarch 14, 2024 (British Columbia) – DoNoHarm BC, a grassroots group advocating for evidence-based public health measures, is leading a province-wide campaign to keep mask protections in BC medical settings. The campaign, “Vulnerability Isn’t Seasonal”, also calls to strengthen infection control with patient masking; wider use of N95 masks; and coverage in private practices like GP’s offices.
BC currently requires masks in hospitals and long-term care for staff, contractors, visitors and volunteers – but not for patients. While policy-makers have only guaranteed this measure for a “few months” over the winter, DoNoHarm BC notes that the last time BC discarded healthcare masking, multiple medical facilities suffered COVID outbreaks. At the time, removal of healthcare masking contradicted guidance from the World Health Organization, and prompted BC’s Human Rights Commissioner to state that the move “does not uphold a human rights centered approach to public health.”
Comments closed📈 The COVID-19 wastewater viral signal for Ottawa is very high. The signal has decreased substantially since a peak around January 12, 2024. Levels are still about 1,050% higher than the value during a low point on July 12, 2023. The signal has increased during the first week of February 2024.
⚠️ The percent positivity is high (9.39% in Ottawa; 12.0% in the Outaouais).
Comments closed📈 The COVID-19 wastewater viral signal for Ottawa has increased substantially (+1,735%) since a low on July 12, 2023. It is extremely high.
⚠️ The percent positivity is extremely high (16.27% in Ottawa; 27.2% in the Outaouais).
🏥 Confirmed COVID-19 patients in Ottawa hospitals: 158 ( decrease of 6).
In 2023, there have been 131 COVID-19 outbreaks at Ottawa’s hospitals so far, leading to 21 deaths and 1,061 known cases of COVID-19.
Comments closed📈 The COVID-19 wastewater viral signal for Ottawa has increased substantially (+2,069%) since a low on July 12, 2023. It is extremely high.
⚠️ The 7-day average of percent positivity is extremely high (19.28%).
🏥 Confirmed COVID-19 patients in Ottawa hospitals: 164 ( increase of 8).
In 2023, there have been 129 COVID-19 outbreaks at Ottawa’s hospitals so far, leading to 20 deaths and 1,027 known cases of COVID-19.
Comments closed📈 The COVID-19 wastewater viral signal for Ottawa has increased substantially (+1,916%) since a low on July 12, 2023. It is extremely high.
⚠️ The 7-day average of percent positivity is extremely high (17.74%).
🏥 Confirmed COVID-19 patients in Ottawa hospitals: 156 ( decrease of 4).
In 2023, there have been 124 COVID-19 outbreaks at Ottawa’s hospitals so far, leading to 18 deaths and 995 known cases of COVID-19.
Comments closed📈 The COVID-19 wastewater viral signal for Ottawa has increased substantially (+1,826%) since a low on July 12, 2023. It is extremely high.
⚠️ The 7-day average of percent positivity is extremely high (19.94%).
🏥 Confirmed COVID-19 patients in Ottawa hospitals: 160 ( decrease of 43).
In 2023, there have been 114 COVID-19 outbreaks at Ottawa’s hospitals so far, leading to 18 deaths and 953 known cases of COVID-19.
Comments closed📈 The COVID-19 wastewater viral signal for Ottawa has increased substantially (+1,684%) since a low on July 12, 2023.
⚠️ The 7-day average of percent positivity is extremely high (17.23%).
🏥 Confirmed COVID-19 patients in Ottawa hospitals: 203 ( increase of 25).
Since January 1, 2023, there have been 105 COVID-19 outbreaks at Ottawa’s hospitals, leading to 15 deaths and 865 known cases of COVID-19.
Comments closed📈 The COVID-19 wastewater viral signal for Ottawa has increased substantially (+1,246%) since a low on July 12, 2023.
⚠️ The 7-day average of percent positivity is extremely high (18.74%).
🏥 Confirmed COVID-19 patients in Ottawa hospitals: 178 ( increase of 65).
Since September 1, 2023, there have been 37 COVID-19 outbreaks at Ottawa’s hospitals, leading to three recent deaths and 314 known cases of COVID-19.
Comments closedThe COVID-19 wastewater viral signal for Ottawa has increased substantially (+1491%) since a low on July 12, 2023.
Comments closedThe COVID-19 wastewater viral signal for Ottawa has increased substantially (+963%) since a low on July 12, 2023.
Comments closedThe COVID-19 wastewater viral signal for Ottawa has increased substantially (+732%) since a low on July 12, 2023. The viral signal is still lower than the extremely high peaks in early January and early April.
Comments closedCW: cancer, surgery, medical negligence, denial of care, disability grief
As part of DoNoHarm BC’s #Postcards4PublicHealth campaign, we’ve invited British Columbians to share their stories about the lack of Covid safety in BC – particularly the loss of mask protections in healthcare. Many wrote directly to policy makers. Some generously gave us permission to share their stories with the public and the press.
Comments closedThe COVID-19 wastewater viral signal for Ottawa has increased substantially (+644%) since a low on July 12, 2023. The viral signal is still lower than the extremely high peaks in early January and early April.
Comments closedOn Monday, August 28th at 12:00 pm, British Columbians will gather outside the MLA office of Health Minister Adrian Dix to demand the restoration of universal masking in healthcare settings, alongside other key safety measures like clean air. Echoing guidance from the WHO and calls from BC’s Human Rights Commissioner (and doctors and researchers worldwide), healthcare workers, patients and caregivers will tell their stories, and demand measures to protect the most vulnerable.
Comments closed
