Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, and Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.’s provincial health officer, have issued the following joint statement regarding updates on the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) response in British Columbia:

“Today, we are announcing 55 new cases, for a total of 2,053 cases in British Columbia.

“Every health region in British Columbia has patients with COVID-19: 803 are in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, 918 are in the Fraser Health region, 119 are in the Island Health region, 168 are in the Interior Health region and 45 are in the Northern Health region.

“We are saddened to report two new COVID-19 related deaths: one in the Interior Health region and one in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, for a total of 105 deaths in British Columbia. We offer our condolences to everyone who has lost their loved ones.

"There have been no new long-term care or assisted-living facility outbreaks. In total, 20 facilities and three acute-care units have active outbreaks, with outbreaks now declared over at 12 care facilities.

"Public health teams are also providing support to a number of community outbreaks, actively contact tracing those who may be directly affected and their close contacts.

"As of today, 46 employees have now been confirmed positive at Superior Poultry in Coquitlam, and 34 employees are confirmed positive at United Poultry in Vancouver.

“There are also 120 inmates and staff confirmed positive at the Mission Institution federal correctional centre, as well as 11 positive cases of COVID-19 connected to the Kearl Lake plant in Alberta.

“Anyone who has been in Kearl Lake since March 24, or is a close contact of a worker and who has symptoms of COVID-19, is required to immediately self-isolate and should be tested. Visit the BC Centre for Disease Control website for information on a collection centre near you, or contact 811 or public health for information on testing.

“To date, 1,231 people who had tested positive for COVID-19 have recovered.

“Of the total COVID-19 cases, 94 individuals are currently hospitalized, 37 of those are in intensive care and the remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation.

“Our first priority is to ensure the health of all British Columbians. Every decision, every order and restriction is based on a comprehensive risk assessment focused on containing COVID-19.

“We use science as a foundation for our thinking, while recognizing that the actions we take also have significant social, financial and emotional implications.

“It is a delicate balance, as demonstrated by the co-ordinated efforts to maintain learning for K-12 students throughout the province, while putting measures in place to protect students and teachers from transmission.

“We must do all we can to ensure this as we develop our made-in-B.C. framework and create a ‘new normal’ for British Columbians.

“While we look ahead, we must all remember that our vulnerable citizens are still vulnerable. Our Elders and seniors, as well as those with underlying health conditions, are at highest risk of severe illness and we must continue to protect them.

“We must also ensure the capacity and tools we have developed within our health-care system to rapidly respond to an outbreak today are maintained.

“What is important not to lose sight of is that we all have a role to play. The decisions you make today will affect all of us tomorrow.

“Personal hygiene, safe physical distancing, staying away from others when ill. These are the core tenants of public health and the foundation of our path forward.

“Our personal health precautions are directly correlated to the epidemiological curve. Let’s get this right and continue to do the right thing.”

Learn More:

Victims of family and sexual violence can find support from VictimLinkBC at: http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/priority-populations/people-who-may-be-or-are-experiencing-violence
Or by calling 1 800 563-0808

Victims of family and sexual violence can find support from Women’s Support Services at: https://www.bwss.org/
Or by calling 1 855 687-1868 or texting 604 652-1867

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

To learn where, when and how people with symptoms can be tested, visit: http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/testing

The COVID-19 self-assessment app, which includes details about where, when and how to be tested, can be downloaded here: https://bc.thrive.health/

For information on how returning travellers can submit self-isolation plans, visit: https://gov.bc.ca/returningtravellers

For mental health and anxiety support, visit: www.bouncebackbc.ca
Or: www.anxietycanada.com

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

For non-health related information, including financial, child care and education supports, travel, transportation and essential service information, visit: www.gov.bc.ca/covid19
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 from COVID-19, visit: www.bccdc.ca/

For the latest videos and livestreaming of COVID-19 media availabilities:
On Facebook: www.facebook.com/BCProvincialGovernment/
On Twitter: https://twitter.com/BCGovNews
Or Youtube: www.youtube.com/ProvinceofBC

For a Chinese translation: http://news.gov.bc.ca/files/COVID19_CN.pdf 

A backgrounder follows.