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 24, 2020.

Cases:

• Total confirmed cases in B.C.: 1,853
• New cases since April 23, 2020: 29
• Hospitalized cases: 96
• Intensive care: 41
• COVID-19 related deaths: 98
• Recovered: 1,114
• Long-term care and assisted-living homes currently affected: 20
• Acute-care unit outbreaks: 3

Confirmed cases by region:

• Vancouver Coastal Health: 767
• Fraser Health: 772
• Island Health: 114
• Interior Health: 158
• Northern Health: 42

New provincial advice and measures:

• Thousands of small businesses in British Columbia will see their monthly rent reduced by at least 75%, thanks to the new federal-provincial Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance Program: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020FIN0024-000754
• Funding to improve rural internet connectivity: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020CITZ0008-000751
• Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.’s provincial health officer, has released guidelines to protect people working in the silviculture sector during the COVID-19 pandemic: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020FLNR0020-000752
• Henry issued the following order regarding industrial camps: 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-industrial-camps.pdf
• The Ministry of Attorney General is establishing two advisory groups to support government response to the impact of restrictive public health measures on the justice system: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020AG0032-000747

New federal measures:

• Governments invest $2.5 million to grow agri-food e-business during COVID-19: https://www.canada.ca/en/agriculture-agri-food/news/2020/04/governments-invest-25-million-to-grow-agri-food-e-business-during-covid-19.html
• Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announces partnerships with provinces and territories to deliver the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance for small businesses: https://pm.gc.ca/en/news/news-releases/2020/04/24/prime-minister-announces-partnerships-provinces-and-territories

Media availability schedule:

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

Saturday, April 25 – 1 p.m., 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:

• 71,415 individuals have been tested as of April 24, 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 health 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)