Doctor said a spike of 40C is not a problem as the body is trying to fight the infection. A prolonged 40C is more concerning.

PCR requirements on return flights dropped.

Huzzah!

Antigen test still required. Boo-Urns!

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/c...ctions#changes

Restrictions and safety measures that aren't changing:

Restrictions and safety measures that remain in place will be reviewed in March and April 2022.

-Masks required in all indoor public settings
-Showing proof of vaccination to access many businesses, events and services
-Businesses must have a COVID-19 safety plan
-Restrictions on visitors to long-term care and assisted living facilities
-Restrictions on worship services
-Restrictions on child and youth overnight camps
-K to 12 and child care safety guidelines


Restrictions that are changing:

Starting February 16 at 11:59 pm, many restrictions will be eased. With proof of vaccination and masks, these activities can return to normal.

-No restrictions on indoor and outdoor personal gatherings
-Full capacity allowed for:
-Indoor and outdoor organized events
-Indoor events at venues
-Exercise and fitness, adult sports activities, tournaments and swimming pools
-Full capacity and fewer restrictions in restaurants, bars, pubs and nightclubs:
-No limits on table size
-Normal liquor service hours
-Customers don't have to remain seated
-Dancing is allowed when wearing a mask indoors

Don’t really get the point of dropping by PCR requirement and keeping the antigen one. So what now we just have to pay for a test that isn’t as accurate?

Yeah that one seems like a weird choice

It's cheaper (sometimes free in other countries). It's less accurate so there's less of a chance you'll test positive then? yay? :ifyouknow:

Also you'll need to take it within 24 hours of your flight vs the 72 hours needed for the PCR test. So now at least you won't ruin 2 days of your trip in case if do test positive.

Still, waste of money and hope they'll drop it altogether in the coming months. Otherwise I guess I'll be looking into that Pac Blue Cross or Manulife COVID insurance.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't an antigen test like 1/10th the price of a PCR?

Maybe optics? "Look at us, we're still testing and care about your safety" I dunno. Hard to not look at it as a cash grab at this point. Especially if the unvaxxed can't board a plane or boat now anyway.

Wish they would drop it all together - what a waste of time at this point. Sure, bring Omicron over the border, does it really matter at this point?

Anyone know what the current rules are if you test positive in the U.S. before your departing flight? Do you still have to quarantine in the States for 10 days?

^ If NHL is any indication then yes

According the news1130 article they said you still need to have it conducted by a professional in a lab etc. so it doesn’t really reduce the headache

Safety theater.

I'm not disagreeing that the antigen tests are not useful, but your asshole buddies are exactly why they won't let you do it on your own.

Not sure on the particulars, but he mentioned his gramps seemed fine until he had to go to hospital, so probably something like that

Depends on the lab/clinic, I've seen them roughly the same as pcr tests

And with the lab requirement Canada put on there, I'm assuming costs aren't being saved by travelers

Unless they're simply weeding out self/at home testers

Hong Kong hospitals overwhelmed, have patients laid out on the streets with 10k ppl awaiting a bed

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-60339746

https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/976/cp...1238519530.jpg

Those blankets look super quiet to sleep with

Temps will be down to 10 C this weekend too

They are talking about sending some patients to China...

They are also going to test the entire population over 1 week

China is saying they need to get their act together, which is funny because we're in this due to them copying their strategy. People fear a full lockdown (which happens all the time anyway due to typhoons, but who knows how long this will be)

Glad their “zero Covid” policy worked out

So my son tested positive with a rapid anti-gen test last night.

When I picked him up from daycare yesterday they said he had been low energy all day, didn't want to participate and didn't eat his whole lunch. So they gave me the test to take home.

(I think the process of sticking the swab up his nose traumatized him, he was so freaked out we had to hold him down to do it and he hyperventilated for like 5 minutes after)

It's weird because we don't really see any other outward symptoms, he seemed totally fine in the morning, and even last evening he's not really coughing, no temperature, no congestion. This morning he's obviously staying home but he seems totally fine, plenty of energy today.

Is there a decent chance of false positives with the rapid tests?

Rapid tests usually tend to go the opposite way if they are wrong. Straight from the nurses mouth. If you test positive on a rapid test, you have covid, if you test negative, you still probably have covid.

My neice who is 3 I think gave us all Covid over Xmas. She was completely fine and full of energy etc. and only had a little cough

So if your son is lethargic and doesn’t have an appetite etc. AND tests positive, it’s probably a positive

My understanding too is with the Rapid test if you do it too early it won't be too accurate.

I'm not surprised with HK getting into a crisis with hospital beds... Sinovac has already proven to be almost like not being vaccinated against omicron... so a massive portion of HK's population basically isn't vaccinated.