More than 100 unvaccinated B.C. health-care workers off last week due to COVID-19
Despite incoming vaccine mandates for workers in B.C.'s health-care system, more than 100 were off work last week because they hadn't yet had the shots, and had been exposed to COVID-19.
The province's top doctor said in a news conference Tuesday that these workers had either caught the disease, and were off sick, or had to self-isolate due to exposure.
Dr. Bonnie Henry said the province is in the process of identifying and reaching out to workers who are not vaccinated and will be affected by an incoming mandate, to give them the opportunity to voice concerns and ask questions.
Vaccination will be mandatory for all workers and volunteers in B.C. health-care facilities starting next month. They'll be required to have both doses of COVID-19 vaccine by Oct. 26, or will be put on unpaid leave.
The policy applies to students, physicians, residents and contractors, as well as those working at contracted facilities used by patients, and at home and community care locations.
She didn't have exact numbers on Tuesday regarding staff vaccination rates, but the doctor did provide an example of what she said showed the context of the "strain on health-care workers."
Many have spoken out about short staffing and low morale.
"Part of that strain is health-care workers who are not yet vaccinated becoming ill themselves, or having to be off because they've been exposed to somebody who's ill. As of last week we had over 100 health-care workers who were in isolation, ill with COVID or because they've been exposed and weren't yet vaccinated," Henry said.
"It is a strain, having this much transmission in our communities, and we as health-care workers being at risk as well."
She said concerns from those who've held back have largely been "important questions," and ones that the ministry is able to answer for anyone hesitating.
Their hope is that the mandate, coupled with the individual approach and sympathy for co-workers already stretched thin, will convince at least some of those in the industry to get their shots.
Neither she nor Health Minister Adrian Dix gave a specific number of health-care workers who are unvaccinated as of Tuesday's update, but Dix said about 13 per cent of the eligible general public still haven't received at least one dose. He said the number of unvaccinated workers is "lower than that."
Still, Dix backed the decision to go ahead with a mandate, describing these types of workplaces as high risk when it comes to transmission.
He acknowledged the challenges, and said he agrees with concerns raised that the mandate may lead to staffing shortages.
Dix said he's aware that there are differing opinions, but that he thinks most people in B.C. also agree that health-care workers should be vaccinated, especially in long-term care and assisted living.
Henry added that the rate of vaccination in many groups, including in doctors in B.C. and in those who work in acute care, is "in the high 90s." It's a small group, she said, that hasn't yet been immunized.
Still, that group is having an impact on other workers who are trying to manage the spread, and the increase of patients in hospitals and in need of intensive care.
"Our teams are tired and there's a moral distress when we see people who are suffering from a preventable illness now," she said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW From yearning for a change to cost of living, why some Canadians have left or may leave the country
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
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 Capital gains tax change 'shortsighted' and 'sows division' business groups tell Freeland
Forging ahead with increasing Canada's capital gains inclusion rate 'sows division,' and is a 'shortsighted' way to improve the deficit, business groups are warning Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
Defence attacks Stormy Daniels' credibility as she returns to the stand in Trump's hush money trial
Stormy Daniels will return to the witness stand Thursday in Donald Trump's hush money trial as the defence tries to undermine the credibility of the porn actor's salacious testimony about their alleged sexual encounter and the money she was paid to keep quiet.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.
Florida deputies who fatally shot U.S. airman burst into wrong apartment, attorney says
Deputies responding to a disturbance call at a Florida apartment complex burst into the wrong unit and fatally shot a Black U.S. Air Force airman who was home alone when they saw he was armed with a gun, an attorney for the man's family said Wednesday.
Air Canada ranks near bottom on customer satisfaction: survey
Air Canada ranks below most other major North American airlines on customer satisfaction, with airfares a particular sore point, according to a new survey.