Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Patricia Daly will be holding a town hall for Vancouver Coastal Health and Providence Health Care staff to provide a general update on COVID-19 and answer questions. As the World Health Organization continues to monitor the spread of COVID-19 worldwide, I want to update our staff and answer any questions. All of the cases identified in B.C. and the VCH region to date have been isolated and public health officials have actively monitored them and any close contacts to ensure there is no ongoing risk to the public. All VCH and PHC sites, services and physicians are prepared to assess patients at risk of COVID-19 and provide care as needed. COVID-19 infection is spread through respiratory droplets. Droplet and contact precautions should be used to care for patients confirmed with, or at risk of COVID-19. Additional precautions are only required if aerosol generating procedures are being performed. These are the same precautions staff should already be taking when providing care to patients with influenza-like illness. In addition to taking the appropriate infection prevention and control measures, the best protection for staff and physicians is to follow proper hygiene etiquette during the cold and flu season. This includes proper hand- 2 washing with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer, covering your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, and staying home when you are sick.