While B.C.’s top doctor hinted at an easing of the COVID-19 restrictions at end of this month, she says if things are eased too quickly, it could lead to an increase in cases in the province.

Dr. Bonnie Henry says it is why the current case counts, outbreaks, as well as the spread of so-called variants of concern will be closely watched in the weeks ahead.

“We are slowly coming down but we are still in the 400 cases a day range which is a lot. And its a lot in some areas of the province, and we know if we start mixing again, if we start coming together again, if we start moving around in the province, that that can take off,” she said. “That’s our biggest concern right and the reason why we have kept the restrictions as they are.”

“If we get to that low enough level, as soon as we get there, there are somethings that we need to do and that involves youth sports, it involves religious services and faith services, it involves us being able to expand our social connections in a limited way again, and that is what I’m looking forward to as soon as we can.”

New modelling data presented last Friday shows that an increase in contacts to even 60 per cent of normal could result in explosive growth in cases as many as 1,000 per day by mid-March.

Henry said B.C. residents are currently at around 40 to 50 per cent of normal contact.

“Even if we slip a little bit, the potential for transmission goes up, and this is what is concerning for us right now,” she added, noting that while the restrictions may seem unfair to some people, B.C. hasn’t had to bring in full lockdown unlike Ontario and Quebec.

“And we’ve managed to keep that balance and now more than ever, its really critical that we keep children in school safely, that we keep our work places and our shops open in a way that is safe so that we can keep our health system protected.”

Like Dr. Henry, Canada’s top doctor says while it’s normal for variants to emerge as viruses continuously evolve, the new COVID-19 variants are a concern.

Dr. Theresa Tam says it is why provinces must tread carefully when it comes to reopening businesses in the coming days and weeks.

“This is not the moment to release everything in terms of public health measures,” Dr. Tam said today. “I think provinces and territories of course are making the individual decisions based on their own context but all must do it with extreme cautiousness.”

Tam says with 355 cases of the UK variant (B.1.1.7), 25 of the South Africa variant (B.1.351), and now one case of the variant that originated in Brazil (P.1) in the country, the risk is very clear. As of yesterday, there were 40 cases of the variants of concern in B.C., 25 of the UK variant and 15 of the South African variant.

“Right now, our measures are working. This means doing everything that we’ve been doing but giving it the best we can give at all times. This simple rule can help us limit the spread of more transmissible variants while vaccine programs get underway,” Tam said.

“Aim for the fewest interactions with the fewest number of people for the shortest time at the greatest distance possible.”

Last week, Dr. Henry also noted that she is concerned about a variant of the coronavirus in Southern California, which is believed to have started in Los Angeles.

– With files from The Canadian Press