The Ministry of Health, in partnership with the BCCDC, have launched an online survey for all British Columbians to log their experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic in an effort to help inform future responses to the pandemic.
During their daily briefing, both PHO Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix encouraged people to take the survey.
“We always need to learn and prepare for the future and you can help us do that,” said Dix.
The online survey is open to all British Columbians aged 18 and older, can be accessed on computers and tablets, and takes between 10 to 15 minutes to complete.
See also: B.C. will start trialing “promising” antibody tests on recovered COVID-19 patients: Dr. Henry
It will be available to answer until May 31 and has been provided in English, Simplified Chinese and Punjabi.
The majority of the survey asks about individual experiences, knowledge and actions taken during the self isolation period of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The results will help public health officials gauge the financial and mental health impacts of the pandemic across various socioeconomic backgrounds.
See all the latest updates about the global COVID-19 pandemic on Vancouver Island
At the end of the survey, participants will be asked about whether they wish to participate in a serology survey or blood test to help determine immunity against the virus across B.C.
They will also be asked about their willingness to participate in planning for future waves of the pandemic which expects to make use of technological tools to coordinate information sharing.
One of these tools is the use of contact tracing apps that keeps track of who people have had contact with as a way to trace exposure to COVID-19 once someone tests positive for the virus.
The survey can be accessed at bccdc.ca/covid19survey or over the phone by calling 1-833-707-1900, which is operated seven days a week 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Results will be made public in the early summer. Those who agree to participate in a future phase will be contacted directly via email.
