‘A cost to these measures’: Health Minister thanks families unable to say goodbye to loved ones in care homes

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VICTORIA (NEWS 1130) — It’s heart-breaking, but necessary, says B.C.’s health minister as many families aren’t able to say goodbye to loved ones in care homes.

Adrian Dix acknowledges the families of those now dying from this virus in long-term care.

“There is a cost to these measures, and while the measures, I think, are absolutely necessary, the evidence shows they’re absolutely necessary and they’re some of the strongest that have been taken anywhere,” he says.

He’s referencing the new public safety order banning the movement of workers from one home to another, as well as heavily restricting access to seniors at risk.


“We understand, with all measures that are taken to protect people, that they are not without cost and we wanted to reach out –particularly reach out– to all the families of people who have relatives, loved ones, friends in long-term care.”

He adds a large outbreak at a federal prison in Mission, which now has 48 cases, is proof movement needs to be heavily curbed to keep the virus from spreading.

“You look at other circumstances around the province and you see what can happen when COVID-19 is present.”

Seven people from that outbreak have been hospitalized.

While there were no new care home outbreaks recorded on Wednesday, hundreds of cases and most COVID-19 deaths in the province were linked to care homes.

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