Laurie Edmiston: The COVID-19 pandemic is threatening an HIV resurgence

Scientists projected that available treatments would eliminate HIV/AIDS as a public health threat by 2030-then COVID-19 happened

This year was supposed to be the year we took control of the HIV epidemic.

Four years ago, governments around the world-including Canada-committed to achieving three targets: 90 percent of people with HIV diagnosed; 90 percent of those diagnosed on treatment; and 90 percent of those on treatment managing to suppress the virus to undetectable levels.

Since available treatments now eliminate the risk of passing HIV on to a sexual partner, scientists projected that meeting these targets by 2020 would eliminate HIV/AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. Then COVID-19 happened.

You might think that physical distancing measures to protect us from COVID-19 would similarly limit opportunities to transmit HIV. However, the reality on the ground is not so straightforward.

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During the Canada Post strike, the following measures have been undertaken to minimize service disruption to BC-CfE clients and providers.

  • The BC-CfE Laboratory has transitioned to private courier for delivery of outgoing reports and documents. (Lab Contact Information: Phone 604-806-8775; FAX 604-806-9463)
  • The BC-CfE Drug Treatment Program (DTP) will fax outgoing forms and documents to the provider’s office.  (DTP Contact Information: Phone 604-806-8515; FAX 604-806-9044)
  • St. Paul’s Hospital Ambulatory Pharmacy has transitioned to private courier for delivery of medications. (Contact Information: Phone 1-800-547-3622; FAX 604-806-8675)

During this time, we recommend that documents be faxed or couriered to our sites, versus utilization of regular mail service.

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