HIV testing expands
A routine program to test patients’ blood for the virus that may cause AIDS is being expanded to include Powell River.
Doctors and nurses at Powell River General Hospital have begun offering HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) tests to patients upon admission, when other blood tests are ordered.
The program began in Vancouver hospitals in October 2011. More than 60 patients have been diagnosed since. The program started in Powell River on Thursday, May 15.
Dr. Réka Gustafson, medical health officer for Vancouver Coastal Health, explained this method of testing is an effective way of diagnosing patients and having them start treatment earlier, which both “improves and prolongs their lives.”
Dr. Bruce Hobson, chair of the Powell River Division of Family Practice, said that a quarter of people infected by the virus are unaware of their condition. While only a few people in a small town like Powell River may be infected, the consequences for both their health and that of others could be many, he added.
An estimated 3,500 people living in BC are unaware they are HIV positive.
HIV tests will also be offered at community health care clinics and family doctors’ offices.
Patients have the right to refuse an HIV test and only people able to make a decision on their own will be offered the test.
Police target high-risk driving
Drivers are being asked to slow down and focus on the road this long weekend.
Each year over the Victoria Day long weekend, an average of two people are killed and 490 injured in 1,700 crashes throughout the province, according to accident data from Insurance Corporation of BC (ICBC).
“The May long weekend is a big time for the police to be out on the road patrolling, doing roadblocks and reminding people—tourists and locals—we’ll be out in force,” said Powell River RCMP Constable Tim Kenning.
Police will be targeting all high-risk driving behaviours including failure to yield, speeding, following too closely and failure to obey traffic lights, as part of this month’s high-risk driving campaign.
These behaviours contribute to almost half of all police-reported crashes which result in injuries or fatalities, according to ICBC.
Kenning said a full complement of officers will be working over the weekend. “Don’t be surprised if you see more police cars on the road,” he said.
