Metro Vancouver healthcare workers share important message of staying home

While it appears the majority of residents in Metro Vancouver are taking the advice to practice social distancing and isolation to heart, it’s also a given that some career fields simply don’t allow this to be a reality.

Among these fields are healthcare workers who are responsible for seeing and treating those infected with coronavirus, or at very least, dealing with those who are displaying symptoms related to it.

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Now, those who are tasked with being at work while others are being implored to work from home are sharing photo messages to emphasize that advice.

On Twitter, Vancouver Coastal Health workers have been taking photos of themselves holding signs that read: “I stayed at work for you. You stay at home for us.”

Help us stop the spread of #COVID19 by staying home and social distancing.

Thank you to the incredible Emergency Department (ED) team at VGH for sharing this message. #SocialDistancing #StayHome pic.twitter.com/gFY9tfjqXA

— Vancouver Coastal Health (@VCHhealthcare) March 19, 2020

More photos from the team: #socialdistancing #stayhome pic.twitter.com/zWUwKNemFo

— Vancouver Coastal Health (@VCHhealthcare) March 19, 2020

…and more! #SocialDistancing #stayhome #FlattenTheCurve pic.twitter.com/X1MPJKe35N

— Vancouver Coastal Health (@VCHhealthcare) March 19, 2020

On Thursday, health officials in the province announced another person has died in British Columbia due to COVID-19, bringing the total number of deaths in BC to eight.

The death was at the Lynn Valley Care Centre in North Vancouver “where the outbreak is continuing,” said Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry.

In addition to the death, Henry said 40 new cases have now been identified, bringing the total number of coronavirus cases in BC to 271.

“A good number of our cases, particularly in Vancouver Coastal Health are related to the three long-term care facility outbreaks that we’ve been following over the last little while,” she added.

Those three long-term care facilities include Haro Park, Lynn Valley Care Centre, and Hollyburn long-term care facility.

Broken down by health authority,  Henry said 152 cases are in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, 81 are in the Fraser Health region, 22 are on Vancouver Island, 12 are in the Interior, and four are in the Northern Health region.

A total of 17 people are now currently in hospital as well, with nine of those in intensive care.

The City of Vancouver also officially declared a local state of emergency on Thursday in response to the ongoing  situation.

This follows the move by the BC government, which announced a province-wide state of emergency, along with 43 new cases of coronavirus had been identified.

With coronavirus on the rise, the BC Ministry of Health is reminding individuals who attend events and large gatherings to monitor their health for signs and symptoms of COVID-19. And if you’re not feeling well, they recommend staying home at this time. Also, due to unexpected cancellations, please check the event you plan to attend is still taking place. Keep up with COVID-19 news here.