Content Map Terms
Last updated: May 20, 2024
Below is a list of the useful, trusted sources we use at HealthLinkBC 8-1-1 to provide British Columbians with health information and advice. If you find information online or in social media that you are not sure you can trust, call us at 8-1-1 and we can help.
BC Centre for Disease Control
BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) is the provincial source of health-related information on COVID-19.
BCCDC provides health promotion and prevention services, and diagnostic and treatment services. They work to reduce communicable and chronic disease, preventable injury and environmental health risks. BCCDC also provides analytical and policy support to government and health authorities.
To find health information about COVID-19 for the public and for health care professionals, and to use the self-assessment tool for COVID-19 testing, visit the BCCDC website.
- BC Centre for Disease Control: Community Support Systems and the Economy
- BC Centre for Disease Control: BC COVID-19 SPEAK Dashboard
- BC Centre for Disease Control: COVID-19
- BC Centre for Disease Control: COVID-19 Care
- Province of British Columbia: COVID-19 self-assessment for testing
B.C. Government, provincial supports for COVID-19
The province of British Columbia continues to monitor COVID-19. For more information on COVID-19 guidance, testing, treatments and immunization, visit:
- Province of British Columbia: COVID-19 guidance in B.C.
- Province of British Columbia: COVID-19 immunization
- Province of British Columbia: COVID-19 testing and treatments
Employers & businesses
WorkSafe BC protects workplace safety of British Columbians in partnership with workers and employers. As of April 2022, employers are no longer required to have a COVID-19 Safety Plan and must follow communicable disease guidance instead. For more information on COVID-19 information and resources for employers and businesses, visit:
- BC Centre for Disease Control: Employers & Businesses
- WorkSafeBC: Communicable disease prevention
- WorkSafeBC: Communicable disease prevention: A guide for employers
- WorkSafeBC: COVID-19 & communicable disease
Health Authority information
For information about COVID-19 from your local health authority, see:
- First Nations Health Authority: COVID-19
- Fraser Health: COVID-19
- Interior Health: COVID-19 Communicable Diseases
- Island Health: COVID-19
- Northern Health: Respiratory illness
- Vancouver Coastal Health: COVID-19
Hospital visiting guidelines
Hospitals have changed their visiting guidelines and have new restrictions in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Restrictions may vary and change. Make sure you check what the visiting policy is at the facility before you visit it. For more information on visitor guidelines in your region, visit:
Medical Services Plan (MSP)
Medical Services Plan (MSP) is British Columbia’s health insurance program. It covers the cost of medically-necessary hospital and doctor services for B.C. residents. The program pays for required medical services provided by physicians, nurse practitioners, and midwives. Other paid services include dental and oral surgery performed in a hospital, and diagnostic services. For more information on MSP and its response to COVID-19, see:
- Province of British Columbia: Coverage Wait Period
- Province of British Columbia: MSP response to COVID-19
Post-COVID-19 Interdisciplinary Clinical Care Network
The Provincial Health Services Authority: Post-COVID-19 Interdisciplinary Clinical Care Network aims to support the best possible outcomes for people recovering from lingering symptoms after COVID-19 infection, through research, education and care. The Network is a partnership between B.C.’s health authorities, Ministry of Health, patients and research organizations across the province and offers:
- Resources to help those affected with their recovery:
- Provincial Health Services Authority: Living with Post-COVID Symptoms
- Supports for primary care providers:
- Provincial Health Services Authority: Post-COVID Recovery Care
- A virtual interdisciplinary clinic serving all of B.C.:
- Provincial Health Services Authority: Living with Post-COVID Symptoms
Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC)
The Public Health Agency of Canada promotes health, prevents and controls chronic diseases and injuries and infectious diseases. The PHAC responds to public health emergencies. For more information about COVID-19, including travel advisories, see:
- Government of Canada: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19)
- Government of Canada: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Awareness resources
- Government of Canada: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Current situation
- Government of Canada: COVID-19: Travel, testing and borders
- Government of Canada: Travel health notices
Translink
Learn tips about safely using transit.
TransLink: Safety and Security
World Health Organization (WHO)
The World Health Organization provides leadership on global health matters. The WHO monitors and assesses health issues such as COVID-19, provides technical support to countries and sets health standards. For more information about 2019-nCoV, see:
- World Health Organization: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19)
- World Health Organization: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic
For more information about COVID-19 and how to protector yourself, your family and your community, see Coronavirus disease (COVID-19).