The COVID-19 situation in British Columbia is continually evolving, and the information below is current as of 3 p.m. on Friday, May 8, 2020.

Cases:

• Total confirmed cases in B.C.: 2,315
• New cases since May 7, 2020: 29
• Hospitalized cases: 73
• Intensive care: 20
• COVID-19 related deaths: 127
• Recovered: 1,579
• Long-term care and assisted-living homes currently affected: 16
• Acute-care unit outbreaks: 5

Confirmed cases by region:

• Vancouver Coastal Health: 866
• Fraser Health: 1,089
• Island Health: 125
• Interior Health: 180
• Northern Health: 55

New provincial advice and measures:

• Joint statement on Province of B.C.’s COVID-19 response, latest updates: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020HLTH0026-000847
• David Eby, Attorney General, has accepted an invitation to participate as the provincial representative on the federal government’s Action Committee on Court Operations in Response to COVID-19: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020AG0026-000842
• Shane Simpson, Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction, released a statement on major encampments in Vancouver and Victoria: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020SDPR0026-000844
• Carole James, Minister of Finance, released a statement on Statistics Canada’s April Labour Force Survey: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020FIN0030-000839
• Province, TransLink to ensure transit service in place to support restart: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020MAH0053-000840
• The latest modelling presentation and information is available online:
  http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/modelling-projections

New federal advice and measures:

• Emergency Support Fund for Cultural, Heritage and Sport Organizations: next steps to support the industry impacted by the global COVID-19 pandemic: https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/news/2020/05/emergency-support-fund-for-cultural-heritage-and-sport-organizations-next-steps-to-support-the-industry-impacted-by-the-global-covid-19-pandemic.html
• Navdeep Bains, federal Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, announces new Industry Strategy Council on COVID-19: https://www.canada.ca/en/innovation-science-economic-development/news/2020/05/minister-bains-announces-new-industry-strategy-council.html
• Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks with premiers on continued efforts to address the impacts of COVID-19: https://pm.gc.ca/en/news/readouts/2020/05/07/prime-minister-justin-trudeau-speaks-premiers-continued-efforts-address

Media availability schedule:

Upcoming scheduled media availability with Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, and Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.’s provincial health officer:
Saturday, May 9 – noon, Victoria (Dr. Henry only)

Resources:

• For provincial support and COVID-19 information, visit: 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:

• For the latest statistics, including testing, visit the BC Centre for Disease Control’s COVID-19 dashboard:
  http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/data
• 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, follow @CDCofBC on Twitter or visit: http://www.bccdc.ca/

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.

BC’s Restart Plan lays out a series of steps that we will take together to protect people and ensure that our province can come back from COVID-19 stronger than before:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/covid-19-provincial-support/bc-restart-plan

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)