The COVID-19 situation in British Columbia is continually evolving, and the information below is current as of 3 p.m. on Monday, April 20, 2020.

Cases:

• Total confirmed cases in B.C.: 1,699
• New cases since April 18, 2020: 52
• Hospitalized cases: 104
• Intensive care: 49
• COVID-19 related deaths: 86
• Recovered: 1,039
• Long-term care and assisted-living homes currently affected: 20
• Acute-care unit outbreaks: 1

Confirmed cases by region:

• Vancouver Coastal Health: 700
• Fraser Health: 705
• Island Health: 102
• Interior Health: 153
• Northern Health: 39

New provincial advice and measures:

• Dr. Bonnie Henry, provincial health officer, has issued a new order surrounding an outbreak in Kearl Lake, Alberta: “Anyone who was at the site at Kearl Lake project near Fort McMurray, Alberta from March to present is ordered by the provincial health officer to immediately self-isolate for 14 days and contact your local public health authority or call 811.”
• Testing is now being used to quickly identify and address any new community clusters and outbreaks that may emerge. Anyone with COVID-19 symptoms can now be assessed and tested through a physician, nurse practitioner or a local community collection centre. To learn where, when and how people with symptoms can be tested, visit: http://www.phsa.ca/staff-resources/covid-19-resources-for-staff/staff-covid-19-testing
• A new collaborative framework will help ensure people living in rural, remote and Indigenous communities in B.C. have access to critical health care they can count on to meet their unique needs during the COVID-19 pandemic and into the future: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020PREM0020-000725 
• Education assistants find new ways to help students: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020EDUC0031-000723
• The Government of B.C. is partnering with the District of Squamish and Squamish Helping Hands Society to provide 49 new temporary homes for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness in the community: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020MAH0052-000714
• COVID-19: Joint Provincial Program Framework for Emergency Response Centres: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/health/about-bc-s-health-care-system/office-of-the-provincial-health-officer/covid-19/covid-19-pho-guidance-joint-povincial-program-framework-for-ercs.pdf
• COVID-19 Guidance to Retail Food and Grocery Stores: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/health/about-bc-s-health-care-system/office-of-the-provincial-health-officer/covid-19/covid-19-pho-guidance-grocery-stores.pdf
• Order of the Provincial Health Officer on Vending Merchandise at Markets: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/health/about-bc-s-health-care-system/office-of-the-provincial-health-officer/covid-19/covid-19-pho-order-vending-merchandise-at-markets.pdf
• Order of the Provincial Health Officer on Personal Services: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/health/about-bc-s-health-care-system/office-of-the-provincial-health-officer/covid-19/covid-19-pho-order-personal-services.pdf
• New ticketing measures to enforce Emergency Program Act orders: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020PSSG0020-000717
• The latest modelling presentation and information is available online: https://news.gov.bc.ca/files/COVID19_Update_Modelling-BROADCAST.pdf

New federal measures:

• The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety has provided an online space, Pandemic Info Share, to enable businesses and organizations to share their pandemic-related good practices and resources: https://www.canada.ca/en/centre-occupational-health-safety/news/2020/04/website-enables-sharing-of-pandemic-resources-and-good-practices.html

Media availability schedule:

Upcoming scheduled media availability with Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, and Henry:

Tuesday, April 21 – 3 p.m., Victoria
Wednesday, April 22 – 3 p.m., Victoria
Thursday, April 23 – 3 p.m., Victoria
Friday, April 24 – statement only
Saturday, April 25 – 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:

• 64,375 individuals have been tested as of April 20, 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)