The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is spreading globally and there have been growing instances of COVID-19 spreading in communities in British Columbia and across Canada. As a result, Canadian public health authorities have escalated measures to slow the spread of the COVID-19.
BC Housing is sending an email to housing and service providers in British Columbia to assist them in preparing for COVID-19. The situation is evolving very quickly and we recognize the importance in working together to reduce the spread of the virus and taking steps to protect the people we serve. We have added additional resources for non-profit housing and service providers, which includes an updated BC Housing Fact Sheet, Facility Entrance Posters, Guidance for People Who Use Drugs and Harm Reduction Program and information about Self-Isolating.
About the COVID-19 / Coronavirus
According to the federal government, coronaviruses are a large family of viruses. They can cause diseases ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV). Some transmit easily from person to person while others do not. COVID-19 is a new disease that has not been previously identified in humans. Those with COVID-19 may have few to no symptoms. You may not know you have symptoms of COVID-19 because they are similar to a cold or flu. Symptoms may take up to 14 days to appear after exposure to COVID-19; they include fever, cough, difficulty breathing, and pneumonia in both lungs. In severe cases, infection can lead to death.
Resources to download
• Fraser Health – Information and downloadable material to help answer questions about COVID-19
• BC Housing Bulletin for Housing Providers (March 18, 2020)
• BC Housing Fact Sheet for Homeless Service Providers (March 16, 2020)
• BC Housing Fact Sheet on Responding to COVID-19 (March 13, 2020)
Poster Resources
• Facility Entry Reception Poster for COVID-19 (English)
• Facility Entry Reception Poster for COVID-19 11×7 (English)
• Facility Entry Reception Poster for COVID-19 (Punjabi)
• Facility Entry Reception Poster for COVID-19 (Simplified Chinese)
COVID-19 Guidance for People Who Use Drugs and Harm Reduction Programs
• Safer Drug Use During the COVID-19 Outbreak
• Syringe Services and Harm Reduction Provider Operations During the COVID-19 Outbreak
Office of the Provincial Health Authority
• Information for people who are self-isolating while awaiting test results after testing for COVID-19
BC Housing continues to monitor the situation and is working closely with the local health authorities and our many partners. We will continue to share resources and information with our local housing and service providers as the situation evolves. Updates will be posted on the BC Housing website at www.bchousing.org/COVID-19.