VICTORIA — British Columbia is hiring 500 health-care professionals to help with its COVID-19 contact tracing efforts ahead of the flu season and a potential surge in cases.
Premier John Horgan says the jobs will be temporary and likely filled by retired nurses and recent graduates.
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Horgan also called on B.C. celebrities, such as Ryan Reynolds and Seth Rogen, to get in touch to help with messaging for younger people.
Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says the new jobs will help the system cope with other public health work that has been neglected due to fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.
She says B.C. has seen a gradual increase in the numbers of positive COVID-19 tests in recent weeks, but the province is able to keep on top of its contact tracing efforts.
Henry added that the federal government’s COVID Alert app, which isn’t yet working in B.C., may later help in keeping on top of contact tracing.
This report was first published by The Canadian Press on Aug. 12, 2020.
