Seniors are one of the most vulnerable groups under the novel coronavirus pandemic, and in British Columbia, they have been at the epicentre.
According to the BC Centre for Disease Control, the median age of people who contract the disease caused by the virus is 68, while the median age for people who die of it is 85.
The majority of the province’s COVID-19 deaths have been linked with seniors’ care facilities. In response, B.C. has brought in strict controls on access to seniors’ homes, banning all but essential visits.
Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry is also banning health-care staff from working at more than one care facility, as transmission has occurred via employees who work part-time at more than one site.