Health & Medical

Health

The Public Health Agency of Canada
The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) is working with provinces, territories, and international partners, including the World Health Organization, to actively monitor the situation. Global efforts are focused on containment of the outbreak and the prevention of further spread.

Public health risk is being continually reassessed as new information becomes available. The risk varies between and within communities, but given the number of cases in Canada, the risk to Canadians is considered high. This does not mean that all Canadians will get the disease. It means that there is already a significant impact on our health care system.

To stay healthy and to protect ourselves and others, we must be mindful of the ever-present risk of exposure to the virus. Some people may be at greater risk of COVID-19 than others due to their occupational, social, economic, and other health and life circumstances. You can find more infromation on the PHAC’s COVID-19 Risks page.

For any questions, call the Health Canada COVID-19 information line: 1-833-784-4397, or email: phac.info.aspc@canada.ca

BC Centre for Disease Control 
The British Columbia Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) is a key partner of the provincial government. It is the central resource for British Columbians to hear updates and learn more about COVID-19 in BC, including case counts, BC Government statements, protective and preventative measures to take, plus the latest advice and resources from officials.

The World Health Organization (WHO)
On March 11, 2020, WHO declared COVID-19 to be a global pandemic. WHO coordinates the international COVID-19 response and publishes it on its website guidance, recommendations, reports, and any other information that can help countries and individuals to respond to COVID-19.

Medical support

• Anyone who begins to feel ill can seek medical attention at local hospitals or urgent care centres.
• Symptoms of COVID-19 include, but are not limited to, fever, cough, sore throat, fatigue and difficulty breathing.
• Note: In suspected cases of COVID-19, it is important to call ahead to the hospital, doctor or urgent care centre first for advice. Where language may be a barrier, businesses can provide support by offering to contact a health-care professional on their behalf.
• Those who suspect they might have COVID-19 symptoms, should provide health-care professionals with the following info (via phone):
  • Symptoms;
  • Where they have been travelling, working or living;
  • If they had close contact with a sick person, especially someone with a fever, cough or difficulty breathing.
• For non-emergency situations only, call 8-1-1, or for the deaf and hard of hearing, call 7-1-1. This is a free-of-charge provincial health information and advice phone line operated by HealthLink BC. Translation services are available in more than 130 languages.
• In the event of an emergency, call 9-1-1.
• Find the nearest hospital or health centre here.