https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/covid-19-bc-modelling-data-1.5535716
British Columbia is beginning to develop new COVID-19 projections that could allow the province to ease some restrictions next month if active cases and hospitalizations continue to fall.
Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry made the announcement Friday morning, after the release of detailed statistical information showing B.C. has so far succeeded in reducing the number of cases and avoided overwhelming the health care system.
"We have flattened that curve," Henry said.
Examples of activities that could return in a few weeks include elective surgeries, as well as changes that would help re-activate sectors of the economy that aren't contingent on large groups of people gathering.
Some activities in schools could resume, but no decision has been made on whether that will happen before the end of the academic year.
"I believe this summer, we will have the opportunity to have way more social opportunities ... but we're not quite there yet. So I'm asking for patience," Henry said.
However, Henry cautioned that significant restrictions would still be in place for some time — likely until a vaccine has been developed for the virus — and that B.C.'s continued success in avoiding a large outbreak would continue to rely on public health measures rather than developing herd immunity.
British Columbia is beginning to develop new COVID-19 projections that could allow the province to ease some restrictions next month if active cases and hospitalizations continue to fall.
Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry made the announcement Friday morning, after the release of detailed statistical information showing B.C. has so far succeeded in reducing the number of cases and avoided overwhelming the health care system.
"We have flattened that curve," Henry said.
Examples of activities that could return in a few weeks include elective surgeries, as well as changes that would help re-activate sectors of the economy that aren't contingent on large groups of people gathering.
Some activities in schools could resume, but no decision has been made on whether that will happen before the end of the academic year.
"I believe this summer, we will have the opportunity to have way more social opportunities ... but we're not quite there yet. So I'm asking for patience," Henry said.
However, Henry cautioned that significant restrictions would still be in place for some time — likely until a vaccine has been developed for the virus — and that B.C.'s continued success in avoiding a large outbreak would continue to rely on public health measures rather than developing herd immunity.
