March 24, 2020 – 5:30pm

COVID-19 PANDEMIC UPDATE – CITY OF NELSON – Update #6

Nelson, BC – Council met again to discuss how to best support our community during this pandemic, including both response and recovery. Due to the evolving nature of this emergency, Council feels there is an opportunity to address our community’s resilience and kick-start the recovery phase now. We are already working with our community groups to begin this important work.

Today’s report from the Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry reiterated the need for social distancing and that each and every person in British Columbia has a responsibility to follow her recommendations and orders. She is urging everyone to continue to maintain their social connections by using virtual means to help us get through the next few weeks.

Health Minister Adrian Dix stated the number of confirmed cases in the province is escalating and we need to take measures now as they will have significant impact on the outcome that will be felt in April.

To support the orders from the Provincial Health Officer, City Bylaw officers have been active in the community stressing the importance of social distancing and ensuring that businesses that have been ordered to close, have done so. All City Departments are continuing to provide the many important services, although some in a modified way.

The BC Government has provided the following information today:

COVID-19 Cases:

• Total cases in BC to date: 617
• 330 in Vancouver Coastal Health
• 194 in Fraser Health
• 44 in Island Health
• 41 in Interior Health
• 9 in Northern Health
• Total recovered cases in BC: 173
• Total fatalities in BC to date: 13
• Total cases in Canada to date: 2792
• Total fatalities in Canada to date: 27

COVID-19 BC Support App and Self-Assessment Tool

The B.C. Government has launched a COVID-19 support app to help provide residents with the latest information on the ongoing pandemic. The app can be downloaded through the Apple Store or Google Play and is also available as a website online here.

Community Message

Please see this short video message from Mayor Dooley, on behalf of Council, urging social distancing and stressing the importance of staying home.

Council wants to remind us all that we are in the fight to conquer this virus together. It is critical that we all step up and have 100% compliance with social distancing, hand washing and self-isolation. This means, when you have to be out, you must maintain a distance of 2 metres (6 feet) from others. Those residents returning from travel from outside Canada must self-isolate for a 14-day period. This means not leaving your home for any reason and relying on friends and neighbours for assistance and supplies.

Reminders:

Many people in our community have travelled or they (or their family members) will be returning shortly. It is critical that you follow the requirements of the BC Public Health Officer. Currently, information supports that approximately 90% of all confirmed cases are a result of travel outside of Canada.

To help provide important information to our community, the City of Nelson has developed a dedicated webpage nelson.ca/covid19 that will be updated frequently as new information becomes available. Please sign-up for ‘City News’ on NotifyMe to receive automatic updates from the City via text or email.

The City of Nelson relies on Interior Health, BC Public Health, and the Federal Government for information related to the virus itself. If you believe you are exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19, please contact your physician, or call the COVID-19 telephone line at 1-888-COVID19, to be assessed or call the testing clinic hotline at (250) 551-7500 to be triaged for testing. Symptoms of COVID-19 include coughing, fever, sore throat, and difficulty breathing. These symptoms may not present themselves for up to 14 days, but you may be a carrier of the virus; therefore it is important to follow the guidelines set out by the health experts.

We thank you for doing your part to help maintain a safe and healthy community and for understanding the importance of this evolving situation.

Media Contact:

Ginger Lester, EOC Information Officer glester@nelson.ca

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