The province has announced that there will be a new active phone number for British Columbians to call for information on COVID-19. Amid the current outbreak of coronavirus, huge call volumes into the current provincial health information line available at 8-1-1 are causing massive delays and phone wait times. This has sparked the province to announce Monday morning a new number dedicated specifically for COVID-19 concerns.
As of March 16, people can call 1-888-COVID-19 or text 604-630-0300 for details, advice, and further information on the virus.
“In an effort to help 8-1-1 health care professionals to support more people who are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or who require assistance with other health issues, the province has created a dedicated phone service to provide British Columbians with information.” said Adrian Dix at a press conference earlier Monday. “Information is available in more than 110 languages.”
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COVID-19 resources and information
From the Office of the Provincial Health Officer (PHO) and the BC Centre for Disease Control(BCCDC) – reliable, official sources on the virus and how to prevent its spread in our communities and workplaces. Check frequently as information is updated on a regular basis.
• PHO – Current Health Topics – Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)
• BCCDC – COVID-19 information for the general public – check under the “community resources” section for recommendations on precautions for different types of workplaces
o COVID-19 Common Questions
o For members in health care fields: COVID-19 Care – information for health professionals including: personal protective equipment, infection control, and more.
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New BC COVID-19 self-assessment tool
BC COVID-19 self-assessment tool https://covid19.thrive.health/
Please do not visit healthcare professionals unless you need immediate help.
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Support your local Food banks
While you are preparing your own homes to ride out this outbreak, please don’t forget that now, more than ever, it is important to support our local food banks. Food bank users are unable to make preparations to protect themselves or their own families.
Please consider purchasing the $2 food bank donation tickets available at grocery stores, pick up extra food and drop it off at a food bank when doing your own shopping, hold an online Union Protein Project fundraiser, ask your local union to mail an extra cheque to your local food bank, call the food bank and ask them if they need delivery drivers, adopt a needy family or senior in your neighbourhood and anything else to help without risking your own health.
Helping our most vulnerable is not only the right thing to do, it’s also the best thing to do to help our governments in their efforts to “flatten the curve” and avoid our healthcare system being totally overwhelmed.
Read more labour COVID-19 statements here:
• BCFED – Protection for workers must be key pillar of COVID-19 response (March 9)
• CLC – Letter to federal Minister of Finance regarding income security measures (Feb 28)
On March 11, the federal government announced they will be suspending the one-week waiting period for Employment Insurance sickness benefits in cases of COVID-19 illness or quarantine. You can find details on the program here: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei/ei-sickness.html
Shared on behalf of the CLC
On Monday the Canadian Council of the CLC voted to postpone the CLC Convention. More details will be coming out shortly. The Pacific Region CLC office is closed and staff are working from home. Please email if you wish to communicate with them.