Almost half of participants in B.C. COVID-19 self-isolation study broke the rules
A B.C. study looking into self-isolation through the COVID-19 pandemic has found almost half the participants broke the rules.
The research was conducted by scientists with the Centre for Health Evaluation and Outcome Sciences (CHEOS), along with representatives from UBC, St. Paul’s Hospital, and Vancouver General Hospital.
The team surveyed symptomatic people discharged from the emergency departments at St. Paul’s, Lions Gate and Mount St. Joseph’s hospitals from May to June of 2020, to see how well they adhered to self-isolation instructions.
They found only 56 per cent of patients stuck to the rules.
The team’s senior investigator, Dr. Andrew Kestler, described the results as “fairly surprising,” given the type of people involved in the study.
“Most participants were middle class and about 20 per cent of them were health-care workers,” Kestler said.
The most common reasons for breaking the rules were people leaving their homes to get food, medication and fresh air. There were also challenges with isolating at home.
“A lot of people shared their homes with others,” Kestler said. “Two-thirds of people lived with other people and a lot of those places were small, so they had trouble in their own homes self-isolating from others. Most people don’t have a mansion with multiple wings where most people can have their own wing.”
The research team reached out to 342 patients with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 during the study period, but only 65 people met the criteria and completed the survey. Kestler admits it was a small group, but believes “it’s still good information” to apply to any future pandemics.
“The public health system needs to find ways to support people in self-isolation, or community organizations need do so, whether it’s food delivery, medication delivery,” he said.
OUTREACH WORK
One organization that conducted outreach work during the pandemic is United Way British Columbia. The group’s president and CEO Michael McKnight said more than 46,000 people signed up to volunteer.
“The community response was amazing,” McKnight said. “(People were) picking up food, picking up prescriptions or in some cases just checking on the well being of some people.”
McKnight said one challenge his organization found was being able to respond quickly enough to the fast-moving crisis, but he added the processes in place now helped with the wildfire response.
“We learned a lot and I think United Way would be ready to respond when the next kind of crisis comes along,” he said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
Broadcaster and commentator Rex Murphy dead at 77: National Post
The National Post is reporting that Rex Murphy, the pundit and columnist who hosted a national call-in radio show for decades, has died.
Pearson gold heist suspect arrested after flying into Toronto from India
Another suspect is in custody in connection with the gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport last year, police say.
Millions of cyberattacks per hour as B.C. government investigates multiple breaches
Careful attention to government statements and legislation is required to get a handle on the level of risk British Columbians’ information is under, as investigators probe multiple breaches under a continued barrage of attacks.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Debate on abortion rights erupts on Parliament Hill, Poilievre vows he won't legislate
A Conservative government led by Pierre Poilievre would not legislate on, nor use the notwithstanding clause, on abortion, his office says, as anti-abortion protesters gather on Parliament Hill.
Justin and Hailey Bieber are expecting their first child together
Hailey and Justin Bieber are going to be parents. The couple announced the news on Thursday on Instagram, both sharing a video that showcases Hailey Bieber's growing belly.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
New 'Lord of the Rings' film coming in 2026
The Oscar-winning team behind the nearly US$6 billion blockbuster 'Lord of the Rings' and 'The Hobbit' trilogies is reuniting to produce two new films.