City of Powell River mayor Dave Formosa took time at the beginning of the committee of the whole meeting to provide an update on the COVID-19 pandemic.
Formosa, at the March 17 meeting, said he wanted to start out by advising everyone to seek out accurate sources of information from health authorities and medical health officers with regard to the COVID-19 pandemic, and to follow the recommendations. Authorities such as the BC Centre for Disease Control and Vancouver Coastal Health should be sought for accurate information on COVID-19, he said.
Formosa said that the Powell River Recreation Complex and the Powell River Public Library had been closed to the public for the safety and well-being of citizens, following an order from the provincial health officer that prohibits gatherings in excess of 50 people. The following day, the city issued an edict that all city buildings, including city hall, were closed to the public.
Formosa said that mayors, first nations leaders, hospital board chairs and regional district chairs had a meeting with Vancouver Coastal Health the day previous to the committee of the whole meeting where the participants were given a great deal of information.
“I can tell you that Vancouver Coastal Health is ready,” said Formosa.
“A lot of questions came from a lot of us...they have plans in place. They have adequate ventilators. No one will come and take our ventilators away from us. They will not come and take away stuff from others.”
Formosa said he is in direct contact with the provincial health officer, as well as the Vancouver Coastal Health medical officer.
“They have been giving advice that we have been using,” said Formosa. “I have spoken to the ones that have the most up-to-date information and we do have a direct line of contact. I want to thank them very much that they respond as rapidly as they can. We all know they are under the gun.”
Councillor CaroleAnn Leishman, who is chair of the Powell River Regional Hospital Board, said the situation is changing by the hour and she really appreciates all the hard work that all of the healthcare professionals are doing to try and stay in front of COVID-19.
“In British Columbia we have a really good plan in place,” she said.
Formosa said he wanted to thank the city’s senior staff, directors and managers.
“We have been working day and night, making sure our plans are in place,” said Formosa.
He added that the Canadian Union of Public Employees had also been involved and all were working as a team.
“We just want everybody to be calm,” said Formosa. “As a community, we will get through this together. I say a big thank you to everyone.”
