Message from Dr. Victoria Lee, CEO, Fraser Health
(in photo: Anita Huberman, CEO, Surrey Board of Trade and Dr. Victoria Lee, CEO, Fraser Health)
The COVID-19 pandemic has had profound socioeconomic and health impacts locally, provincially and around the globe. As a society, we have also come together to care for one another and achieve remarkable things during this time.
BC has been applauded widely for its pandemic preparedness, response and recovery efforts. We have benefited from the leadership of BC Health Minister Adrian Dix and Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry.
The contributions of our health workers, communities, business partners, the City of Surrey and the Surrey Board of Trade have been crucial. Due to our collective efforts and sacrifices, we are starting to see our COVID-19 cases, related hospitalizations and outbreaks decline in Fraser Health.
COVID-19 vaccines provide all of us, including our business community, with hope as we move to the next phase of the pandemic. At the same time, vaccines alone are not enough to allow us to return to all of our activities. It is vital that none of us lets down our guard at this critical time.
I’m pleased with the progress we have made with our vaccine rollout. Our priority now is to immunize the most vulnerable people in our communities and those who take care of them such as staff, medical staff, residents and essential visitors in long-term care and assisted living facilities; people awaiting long-term care placement; and priority acute care staff.
It has been heartwarming to see so many Fraser Health staff, medical staff and our partners step forward to become peer immunizers so people can be vaccinated as soon as possible.
With the delayed shipment of one of the vaccines to Canada, we also know that vaccines are not going to provide an immediate relief to the pandemic. While we work towards widespread vaccination, we are asking businesses to continue to ensure their COVID-19 plans are implemented and maintained; work-from-home options are employed where possible; workers and customers wear masks when not separated by distance or barriers; and workers and others are prohibited from entering the workplace if they have COVID-19 symptoms. Please also ensure your employees are willing to participate in contract tracing.
I have observed uplifting and inspiring support from Surrey’s business community during these challenging times. Thank you for embracing innovation and new solutions to enhance our services and for your ongoing and admirable efforts to help bend the curve.
Dr. Victoria Lee
CEO, Fraser Health
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SURREY TOWN HALL ON VACCINES AND BUSINESS – January 28 at 10am
PLEASE REGISTER:
https://business.businessinsurrey.com/events/details/january-28-2021-digital-town-hall-vaccinations-and-business-11307
COVID-19 Immunization Plan
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/covid-19-provincial-support/vaccines
