Friday, May 8, 2020 – 4:00pm
COVID-19 PANDEMIC UPDATE #38 – CITY OF NELSON
A Note from Dr. Bonnie Henry on Mother’s Day
In a media release today, Dr. Bonnie Henry shared an update on the status of the COVID-19 pandemic in BC, and issued the following note: “This weekend is Mother’s Day and a time to celebrate and honour someone important to us. We can all do something special for our mothers, whether they are near or far, in your household bubble or not. For now, avoid any close physical contact, unless your mother is in your immediate household. And if your mother is older, awaiting surgery or has an underlying illness, celebrate at a safe distance. Give your mother the gift of staying safe and healthy. Let’s continue to stand together in spirit as we stay apart and move forward together.”
To view the full media release: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020HLTH0026-000847
Ottawa Announces Wage Subsidy Program Will Be Extended Past June
At today’s daily briefing, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the emergency wage subsidy program will be extended past June, and that details would be released next week. The program covers 75 per cent of employees’ pay, up to $847, to help employers keep their workers on the payroll during the COVID-19 pandemic. The program was set to end June 6th. Dan Kelly, president of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, applauded the decision to extend the subsidy. "I give credit to the government for listening carefully to the concerns of small businesses who were worried that this needed support would run out before many are even able to reopen their doors.”
To view the full story: https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/wage-subsidy-trudeau-extend-1.5561477
Unemployment rate in BC rises from 5.5% to 11.5%
Minister of Finance Carol James released British Columbia’s employment data on Friday, revealing that the province had lost 396,500 jobs in March and April. Nearly half the job losses are in the food service and retail sectors. “Every sector of the B.C economy has been hit and many B.C. families are reeling…The personal and economic pain that COVID-19 has caused around the world is unprecedented in our lifetime, but there is light at the end of the tunnel. Recognizing our province’s strong economic fundamentals, we are working to build a robust rebound for B.C. and with everyone’s continued co-operation and confidence, we will get there.”
To view the full media release: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020FIN0030-000839
The BC Government has provided the following information today:
COVID-19 Case Statistics: Total cases in BC to date: 2,315
- 866 in Vancouver Coastal Health
- 1,089 in Fraser Health
- 125 in Island Health
- 180 in Interior Health (Increase of 1 in 24 hrs)
- 55 in Northern Health
- Total fatalities in BC to date: 127 (Increase of 1 in 24 hrs)
- Total cases in Canada to date: 66,313
- Total fatalities in Canada to date: 4,567
Important Resources & Information – COVID-19
To view BC’s Restart Plan: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/public-safety-and-emergency-services/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/gdx/bcs_restart_plan_web.pdf
Which businesses are open in Nelson? https://www.nelsonkootenaylake.com/news
B.C. Government Resources List for Support and Information during COVID-19https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/covid-19-provincial-support
Supports for Businesses in BC: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/employment-business-and-economic-development/business-management/small-business/covid-19_small_business_supports.pdf
Wellness Together Canada https://ca.portal.gs/
Anxiety Canada
https://www.anxietycanada.com/ BounceBack BC https://bouncebackbc.ca/
Here2Talk for Post-Secondary Students https://here2talk.ca/home
Psychological First Aid – Over 19+ https://www.psychologists.bc.ca/covid-19-resources
Crisis Line Association of BC – 1-800 suicide (1 800 784-2433) - 24/7
www.crisiscentre.bc.ca - 24/7 - crisis and suicide intervention
Mental Health and Information Support Line - 310-6789 (no area code required)
Kids Help Phone – 1-800-668-6868
www.kidshelphone.ca or text connect to 686868 - 24/7
Helpline for Children - 310-1234 (no area code required)
www.youthinbc.com - 24/7
VictimlinkBC – 1-800-563-0808 - 24/7
information, referrals. Immediate crisis support
HealthLinkBC - 811 or www.healthlinkbc.ca
For seniors looking for additional support at this time, call 211 or visit:www.bc211.ca
Interior Crisis Line Network – 1-888-353-2273 - 24/7
Nelson Transition House – (250) 354-4357
24/7 - Specifically for women leaving or struggling in, an abusive relationship.Nelson Police Department Victim Services – (250) 505-5657
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.
To check your symptoms or get updates from the B.C. Government you can download the BC COVID-19 App or visit this website
We thank you for doing your part to help maintain a safe and healthy community and for understanding the importance of this evolving situation.
Information from the B.C. Center for Disease Control on COVID-19
Media Contact:
Ginger Lester, EOC Information Officer glester@nelson.ca