5 years after B.C. declared COVID-19 a public health emergency, BCCDC says it’s ready for future pandemics – CBC

BCCDC is constantly monitoring virus outbreaks in B.C. and around the world, Dr. Jat Sandhu says

Mar 17, 2025

A little over five years ago, a sense of panic was spreading within British Columbia’s public health system as it tracked the spread of a new virus: what would become known as COVID-19.

“I think we have to admit there would have been somewhat of a scramble,” said B.C. Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) epidemiologist Dr. Jat Sandhu — a scramble to make sure there was enough personal protective equipment for medical professionals and to get information and understand the gravity of the situation.

“As an epidemiologist, it was the time to step up.”

That uneasiness was quickly felt by the general public as details were shared by scientists and government officials.

Read more: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/pandemic-preparedness-5-years-after-covid-1.7484170