Novel coronavirus (COVID-19)

A new coronavirus is the cause of an outbreak of respiratory infections, now known as COVID-19. The number of cases worldwide is changing quickly. B.C. has confirmed cases of coronavirus; however the risk to Canadians continues to be low. 
新型冠狀病毒常見問題-中文

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(COVID-19) سوالات متداول درباره ویروس کرونای جدید 

Information about the virus

 

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses found mostly in animals. In humans, they can cause diseases ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV). The new coronavirus has been named COVID-19.


While many of the characteristics of COVID-19 are still unknown, mild to severe illness has been reported for confirmed cases. 


Anyone concerned that they may have been exposed to, or are experiencing symptoms of the novel coronavirus, should contact their primary care provider, local public health office, or call 8-1-1.


 
The symptoms of COVID-19 are similar to other respiratory illnesses, including the flu and common cold. They include cough, sneezing, fever, sore throat and difficulty breathing.

Contact your healthcare provider if you have developed symptoms and have been in close contact with someone known to have COVID-19. Do the same if you develop symptoms and have been in contact with a traveller returning from an affected area with widespread community spread of COVID-19.

Tell your health-care professional:
  • your symptoms;
  • where you have been travelling or living;
  • if you had direct contact with animals (for example, if you visited a live animal market); and
  • if you had close contact with a sick person, especially if they had a fever, cough or difficulty breathing.
Call ahead to the health-care facility you are planning to visit so they can be prepared to take precautions. In an emergency, describe your symptoms, travel history and any sick contacts when you first arrive at the facility so that appropriate precautions can be taken.

Until more is understood about the virus, older people and people with a weakened immune system or underlying medical condition are considered at higher risk of severe disease.


Coronavirus is transmitted via larger liquid droplets when a person coughs or sneezes. The virus can enter through these droplets through the eyes, nose or throat if you are in close contact. The virus is not known to be airborne (e.g. transmitted through the particles floating in the air) and it is not something that comes in through the skin.

It can be spread by touch if a person has used their hands to cover their mouth or nose when they cough. That’s why we recommend you cough or sneeze into your arm and wash your hands regularly. 

Listen to Dr. Eleni Galanis answer this question.




Droplet Contact:  Some diseases can be transferred by large infected droplets contacting surfaces of the eye, nose, or mouth. For example, large droplets that may be visible to the naked eye are generated when a person sneezes or coughs. These droplets typically spread only one to two metres and are too large to float in the air (i.e. airborne) and quickly fall to the ground. Influenza and SARS are two examples of diseases capable of being transmitted from droplet contact. Currently, health experts believe that coronavirus can also be transmitted in this way.

 

Airborne transmission:  This occurs when much smaller evaporated droplets or dust particles containing the microorganism float in the air for long periods of time. Transmission occurs when others breathe the microorganism into their throat or lungs.  Examples of diseases capable of airborne transmission include measles, chickenpox and tuberculosis.  Currently, health experts believe that coronavirus cannot be transmitted through airborne transmission. 


Follow the same advice that public health officials recommend for the cold and flu season: wash your hands often with soap and water, cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, avoid others who are unwell, and stay home when you are sick.

 
The most important thing you can do to prevent coronavirus and other illnesses is to wash your hands regularly and avoid touching your face.

Cover your mouth when you cough so you're not exposing other people. If you are sick yourself, stay away from others. Contact your health-care provider ahead of time so you can be safely assessed.

Listen to Dr. Eleni Galanis answer this question.

 

Masks should be used by sick people to prevent transmission to other people. A mask will help keep a person's droplets in. 


It may be less effective to wear a mask in the community when a person is not sick themselves. Masks may give a person a false sense of security and are likely to increase the number of times a person will touch their own face (e.g., to adjust the mask). 

Health-care workers will wear surgical masks, eye protection and gowns in order to protect themselves and other patients. During health-care procedures in which aerosol sprays may be generated (for example, when giving certain inhaled medications), health-care workers should wear specialized masks.

 

Current information suggests that older people with chronic health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and lung disease are at higher risk of developing more severe illness or complications from COVID-19. If you are at higher risk for COVID-19 complications, follow general preventative strategies against infection, and should you become ill, seek medical help early.

 

Read this handout for more information.


BC is recommending against all non-essential travel outside of Canada, including to the United States. 


Anyone who chooses to travel outside of Canada will be asked to stay away from work or school for 14 days upon their return. We know that this is a voluntary measure, but it is our expectation that people will follow this direction. 

To learn about self-isolation, visit our self-isolation and testing page. 

Events/ gatherings
All event organizers are asked to cancel any gathering larger than 250 people. This includes indoor and outdoor sporting events, conferences, meetings, religious gatherings or other similar events. 

This threshold has been selected, as it is much easier to maintain important social distancing to prevent transmission of COVID-19.

If any symptoms arise, connect with your primary care provider, local public health office or call 8-1-1. 

Canada has active COVID-19 travel advisories for:
Canada is also recommending that Canadians avoid all cruise ship travel due to the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak.

British Columbians should monitor their health while they are travelling and after they return. If you have any symptoms at all of a cold or influenza, even if they're mild, stay away from others. If you have been to areas, particularly where we know there has been transmission of COVID-19, then call your health care provider, call 8-1-1, call public health. Always tell health care providers about recent travel if you become ill after returning to Canada. 

Go to Government of Canada for more questions and for the latest travel alerts. 

 
The federal government is doing several things to inform and screen travellers at the airport. It has set up a system at international airports to find out people who have been to Hubei and Iran, confirm where they have travelled to and if determine if they feel well or unwell.

Listen to Dr. Eleni Galanis answer this question.
*Please note that this was filmed on Feb 19, 2020. Since that time, in addition to travellers returning Hubei, China, those returning from Iran are now being asked whether they feel well or unwell upon returning to Canada.   

 
There is still a lot we don't know about COVID-19 and there are studies underway to better understand it.
 
There have been a few instances of transmissions before the person became sick or the symptoms were mild that the person did not know they were sick. Those are exceptions as most people became ill from being in close contact with someone who showed symptoms such as coughing and sneezing, therefore transmitting the virus through droplets. This is why B.C. health officials are focused on putting protection around people are ill and showing symptoms, in order to decrease the spread to others. 

Listen to Dr Eleni Galanis answer this question.


The risk of spread of this virus in B.C. communities remains low at this time.   In B.C., Canada and many other countries, we continue to be in active containment mode to detect cases and respond to prevent the virus from spreading in the community. 

We are closely monitoring the global situation and recognize that the virus is spreading within communities in other parts of the world. We are preparing and planning for more widespread transmission in BC and Canada to mitigate the impact of the virus on individuals, the health care system and the community. 

 

The Ministry of Health and BCCDC, working with many partners, have plans and are prepared to respond to new illnesses of public health concern.


We have been actively monitoring the situation with COVID-19 over the past weeks, together with national and international groups, to be ready for identifying and caring for those who may have COVID-19 and to prevent its spread.  B.C. developed one of the first tests to confirm COVID-19. 

A Provincial Coordination Committee is in place to respond to COVID-19 in British Columbia. This committee will co-ordinate provincial preparedness and response across our health sector.


To our knowledge, no one has become ill from touching a package from China so far and the risk is low.


COVID-19 is transmitted through respiratory droplets that come from a person's throat or lungs when they're coughing or sneezing. While droplets can fall on surfaces including packages, viruses in the coronavirus family don't survive very long on surfaces.  They are sensitive to the environment and likely won't survive for the amount of time it takes for packages to travel internationally.

We recommend washing your hands frequently with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds as a precaution to further lower your risk of getting sick from COVID-19 and other viruses. Whenever you have touched surfaces, packages or other people, wash your hands before you touch your face, take care of other people or prepare food. 

Listen to Dr. Eleni Galanis answer this question.


Additional links
WHO FAQ: For more commonly asked questions and answers on COVID-19, visit the WHO website. 
Health Canada: For more information on the Government of Canada’s precautions at international airports and borders, visit Health Canada’s website.
Health Canada: Information about COVID-19 and animals


Community resources
Resources:

How to prevent and control the spread of the virus in schools and childcare settings?

 

The two most important ways to prevent and control respiratory viruses, including COVID-19, in schools and childcare settings are: 


  • For students/children and staff who are ill with respiratory illness symptoms (fever, cough, fatigue, and/or muscle aches) to stay home from school/childcare and 

  • The consistent practice of good respiratory etiquette and hand hygiene. 

At present the Public Health Agency of Canada and the Provincial Health Officer of British Columbia do not recommend school closure strategies for the prevention of COVID-19.

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Those who are self-isolating are doing so for the benefit of others. Please support continuing instruction (e.g. deadline extension or alternative coursework that can be completed from self-isolation) and create a non-punitive environment for those who are self-isolating.

At post-secondary institutions, students, faculty, or staff who are self-isolating may rely on post-secondary services (for example housing or food), institutions should plan for how they will support those in self-isolation. If your institution has a pre-existing plan for pandemic influenza, it may have protocols and guidance that can be adapted.

 
Cleaning and disinfecting objects and surfaces that are frequently touched by multiple students or staff (e.g., high touch surfaces such as doorknobs, faucet handles, computer keyboards, etc.) will help to prevent the transmission of viruses from person to person through contaminated hands. If household or commercial disinfection products are not readily available, hard surfaces can be cleaned of visible dirt and then disinfected using a mixture of 1-part bleach and 9-parts water. 

Institutions should also consider increasing the number of hand wash stations (or alcohol-based sanitizer stations) around the institution, as well as providing tissues and waste receptacles.
Should school based events be cancelled?

It is not necessary to cancel classes, school events, outings or field trips to public locations. Trips including educational exchanges or student rotations to China are not recommended at this time.

Schools, students and faculty planning international travel should consult Public Health Agency of Canada for the latest travel alerts.

 
A new virus such as the one that causes COVID-19 can create anxiety and be difficult for students/children to understand, especially if someone in their school or family is sick, or they see or hear troubling media reports. It is normal for students/children to feel worried or nervous and have questions. Communication should reflect the diverse linguistic, literacy and cultural characteristics and needs of the students/children and their families.

It will be important for schools/childcare programs to monitor for discrimination and/or bullying surrounding COVID-19, in particular towards those who may have been exposed to the virus and are self-isolating at home, or self-monitoring for symptoms. School/childcare programs should make all efforts to ensure that misinformation is clarified and anti-discrimination/bullying protocols are adhered to.

 
Reassure students they are safe and there are many things they can do to stay healthy:
  • Hand washing: Wash hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds, or use an ABHS, especially after coughing or sneezing. 
  • Cough/sneeze etiquette: Cough and sneeze into arm or tissue. 
  • Stay home when sick: Students/children should tell parents if not feeling well, and together, make a plan to stay home from school. 
  • Keep clean: Keep hands away from face and mouth. 
  • Stay healthy: Stay healthy by eating healthy foods, keeping physically active, getting enough sleep.
Reinforce “no food sharing” policies in school/childcare settings. The practice of not sharing food in the school/childcare setting will support the efforts of reducing virus transmission between students/children. 

To prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, water bottles used by sports teams should not be shared among the team players. Mouthpieces on musical instruments should not be shared or should be cleaned and disinfected.












Self-isolation and testing

Resources:

 

For the health of your family, friends and community, you need to stay at home. That means do not have visitors and do not go to work or school, public areas, including places of worship, stores, shopping malls and restaurants. Cancel or reschedule appointments. If leave your home for medical care, do not take buses, taxis or ride-sharing where you would be in contact with others. You can use delivery/pick up services for groceries or other needs, but avoid face to face contact. Face to face contact means you are within 1-2 metres (3-6 feet) of another person.‎

 

 

It is better if those you live with can stay somewhere else, especially if they have a weak immune system or chronic health conditions. If you need to share a home, stay and sleep in a room with good airflow that is away from others. Use a separate bathroom if you can. Wear a face mask (surgical/procedure mask) if you are in the same room with anyone. Avoid face to face contact; friends or family can drop off food outside your room or home.‎

 

 
  • Pay attention to your health and how you are feeling after getting the test. You can call 8-1-1 anytime to talk to a nurse at HealthLinkBC and get advice about how you are feeling and what to do next. 8-1-1 has translation services in 130 languages.
  • Urgent medical care means that there is a change in your health that needs medical help right away. If it becomes harder to breathe, you can't drink anything or feel much worse than when you got tested; seek urgent medical care at an urgent care clinic or emergency department. If you or someone in your care has chest pains, difficulty breathing, or severe bleeding, it could be a life-threatening emergency. Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number immediately.
  • Call ahead before you get medical care. If leaving your home for medical care, call ahead and tell the clinic you are coming in and that you just had a COVID-19 test. By calling ahead, you help the clinic, hospital, lab, urgent care or doctor's office prepare for your visit and stop the spread of germs. Remind each health care provider that is taking care of you that you are waiting for COVID-19 test results. 

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  • Wear a face mask. When you are sick, wearing a face mask (surgical or procedure mask) helps to stop the spread of germs from you to others. Wear a face mask when you are in the same room with other people and when you get medical care. If your mask gets wet or dirty, change it and wash your hands right away. You and those you live with do not need to buy and wear other types of masks, such as an N-95 respirator mask.
  • Cover your coughs and sneezes. When you feel a cough or sneeze coming on, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue. Don't have a tissue? Cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve or elbow, not your hands. Wash your hands right away after you sneeze, cough or touch used tissues or masks. Throw used tissues into a lined trash can in your room and tie up that trash bag before adding it with other household waste.
  • Wash your hands. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. It is best to dry your hands with a paper towel and throw it away after use. If you can't wash your hands, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. Learn more at www.healthlinkbc.ca/healthlinkbc-files/hand-washing.
  • Do not share household items. Do not share dishes, cups, eating utensils, towels, bedding, or other shared belongings. After using these items, wash them with soap and water.
  • Flush the toilet with the lid down. COVID-19 virus may also be present in poop (stool or feces). Always wash your hands with soap and water after using the toilet.
  • General cleaning. Water and detergent (e.g., liquid dishwashing soap) or common household cleaning wipes should be used. Apply firm pressure while cleaning. Surfaces should be cleaned at least once a day. Clean surfaces that are touched often (e.g., counters, table tops, doorknobs, toilets, sinks, taps, etc.) at least twice a day.

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