A better understanding of COVID-19 community transmission levels will help cities like Delta make informed decisions when it comes to facilities and safety plans.
That’s what Mayor George Harvie is saying in a letter to Premier John Horgan, reiterating Delta and other Fraser Health communities’ request for the province to release community-specific data.
“As municipalities, we are committed and uniquely positioned to supporting senior governments, residents, businesses and other stakeholders during the challenges of the pandemic. To perform these functions effectively, we need more granular and frequent data,” Harvie said.
He also noted more detailed local COVID-19 data would help guide city decision making and resource allocation while working with businesses and community organizations as they try to stay open, economically viable but safe.
Also signed by Surrey Mayor Doug McCallum, White Rock Mayor Darryl Walker, City of Langley Mayor Val van den Broek and Langley Township Mayor Jack Froese, the letter notes local data would help cities tailor community messaging, implement preventative measures, focus enforcement and work with the health region on any other measures.
The letter also states that while they appreciate there may be privacy issues associated with more specific data, the benefits of responsibly used data need to be considered.
A motion by Harvie a few weeks ago to Metro Vancouver’s COVID-19 Response Task Force requesting provincial Medical Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry provide local data was endorsed.
