The COVID-19 situation in British Columbia is continually evolving, and the information below is current as of 3:30 p.m. on Friday, April 17, 2020.

Cases:

• Total confirmed cases in B.C.: 1,618
• New cases since April 16, 2020: 43
• Hospitalized cases: 119
• Intensive care: 52
• COVID-19 related deaths: 78
• Recovered: 966
• Long-term care and assisted-living homes currently affected: 20
• Acute-care unit outbreaks: 1

Confirmed cases by region:

• Vancouver Coastal Health: 680
• Fraser Health: 661
• Island Health: 94
• Interior Health: 150
• Northern Health: 33

New provincial advice and measures:

• The latest modelling presentation and information is available online: https://news.gov.bc.ca/files/COVID19_Update_Modelling-BROADCAST.pdf
• Joint statement on Province of B.C.’s COVID-19 response, latest updates: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020HLTH0133-000713
• More online options for students to support social, emotional well-being: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020EDUC0029-000709
• The Province is supporting strata corporations in B.C. to prevent the spread of COVID-19 by allowing them to hold meetings electronically, including their annual and special general meetings, during the current provincial state of emergency: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020MAH0051-000710

New federal measures:

• The Government of Canada is taking action to help Canadian businesses and organizations keep their doors open, keep their employees on payroll and recover quickly when Canada bounces back from this crisis: https://pm.gc.ca/en/news/news-releases/2020/04/17/prime-minister-announces-new-support-protect-canadian-jobs
• Statement from Bernadette Jordan, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans, and the Canadian Coast Guard, on support to the fish and seafood industry: https://www.canada.ca/en/fisheries-oceans/news/2020/04/statement-from-the-minister-of-fisheries-oceans-and-the-canadian-coast-guard-on-support-to-the-fish-and-seafood-industry.html
• The governments of Canada and Ontario are investing up to $1 million in new funding to connect workers with in-demand jobs in the agri-food sector to keep the nation’s supply chains strong and store shelves stocked during the COVID-19 pandemic: https://www.canada.ca/en/agriculture-agri-food/news/2020/04/canada-and-ontario-supporting-agri-food-sector-supply-chain-during-covid-19.html
• Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan: new support to protect Canadian jobs: https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/news/2020/04/canadas-covid-19-economic-response-plan-new-support-to-protect-canadian-jobs.html
• Foreign ministers from 13 countries agree on key principles to keep transportation links and supply chains open: https://www.canada.ca/en/global-affairs/news/2020/04/foreign-ministers-from-13-countries-agree-on-key-principles-to-keep-transportation-links-and-supply-chains-open.html
• New measures introduced for non-medical masks or face coverings in the Canadian transportation system: https://www.canada.ca/en/transport-canada/news/2020/04/new-measures-introduced-for-non-medical-masks-or-face-coverings-in-the-canadian-transportation-system.html

Media availability schedule:

Upcoming scheduled media availability with Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, and Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.’s provincial health officer:
Saturday, April 18 – noon, Victoria

Resources:

• For provincial support and COVID-19 information: www.gov.bc.ca/covid
• For seniors looking for additional support at this time, call 211 or visit: http://www.bc211.ca/
• For information for Indigenous peoples in B.C., visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/indigenous-people/covid19
• If you or a family member need additional medical advice, call 811.

Testing:

• 59,185 individuals have been tested as of April 16, 2020.
• If symptoms appear, check your symptoms online: https://covid19.thrive.health
  • If needed, call your health-care provider or 811 for further guidance.

Learn More:

For the latest videos and livestreaming of COVID-19 media availabilities, visit:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BCProvincialGovernment/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/ProvinceofBC
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BCGovNews

For the latest medical updates, including case counts, prevention, risks and testing, visit: http://www.bccdc.ca/
Or follow @CDCofBC on Twitter.

For the provincial health officer's orders, notices and guidance, visit: www.gov.bc.ca/phoguidance

For non-health related information, including financial, child care and education supports, travel, transportation and essential service information, visit: www.gov.bc.ca/Covid-19
Or call 1 888 COVID19 (1 888 268-4319) between 7:30 a.m. and 8 p.m. (Pacific time), seven days a week.

For recommendations on protecting yourself and your community, including for employers and businesses, visit:
http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/coronavirus-(novel)

For common questions about COVID-19 and terminology, visit:
http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/common-questions

Worker and employer information:

For workers and employers who need help understanding the law and their rights, have workplace heath and safety questions or who need help with claims, call:
Employment Standards Branch: 1 833 236-3700
For health and safety assistance: 1 888 621-7233 (1 888 621-SAFE)
For workers and claims: 1 888 967-5377 (1 888 WORKERS)