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 29 new cases of COVID-19, for a total of 2,315 cases in British Columbia.

“Every health region in British Columbia has patients with COVID-19: 866 are in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, 1,089 are in the Fraser Health region, 125 are in the Island Health region (note: two cases were removed from yesterday’s Island Health total due to a data error), 180 are in the Interior Health region and 55 are in the Northern Health region.

“We are saddened to report one new COVID-19 related death in the Fraser Health region, for a total of 127 deaths in British Columbia. We offer our condolences to everyone who has lost their loved ones.

“In the last day, there have been no new long-term care or assisted-living facility outbreaks. In total, 16 facilities and five acute-care units have active cases. Outbreaks have now been declared over at 18 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.

“There has been no change in the number of confirmed positive cases at Fraser Valley Specialty Poultry, United Poultry in Vancouver or at the Mission Institution federal correctional centre.

“There are now 61 positive cases at Superior Poultry in Coquitlam and 17 connected to the Kearl Lake plant in Alberta.

“To date, 1,579 people who had tested positive for COVID-19 have recovered.

"Of the total COVID-19 cases, 73 individuals are hospitalized and 20 of those are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation.

“We must continue with what we have been doing, because it is working. We have flattened our curve and must keep it there.

“Until we move into Phase 2, the orders, restrictions and guidance remain in place.

“Our go-forward principles are our playbook for where we are today and how we will move forward. They are the rules to help us decide what is safe for ourselves, our loved ones and our communities. These principles will not change until COVID-19 is no longer a risk to any of us.

“Physical distancing is here to stay. We must continue to keep a safe physical distance from anyone outside of our household.

“There are no exceptions to staying home if you are ill. Even if it seems to be seasonal allergies, a cold or potentially COVID-19. And if you do have symptoms of COVID-19, contact 811 or your health-care provider to be assessed and tested.

“Travelling anywhere increases the likelihood of making us an unintentional carrier for COVID-19. While essential travel must continue, personal travel needs to be minimized, wherever possible.

“Our playbook for the pandemic has the ‘rules’ all of us must learn and follow. Keeping these top of mind will allow us to keep progressing through BC’s Restart Plan:

1. Maintain physical distancing outside your household. For example, no handshaking or hugging, keeping your number of contacts low and keeping a safe distance.
2. Practise good hygiene – hand hygiene, avoid touching your face and respiratory etiquette.
3. Stay at home and away from others if you are feeling ill. That means staying home from school, work or socializing.
4. Make necessary contact safer with appropriate controls, e.g., using plexiglass barriers or redesigning spaces.
5. Increase cleaning of frequently touched surfaces at home and work.
6. Consider using non-medical masks in situations where physical distancing cannot be maintained, such as on transit or while shopping.
7. Continue to minimize non-essential personal travel.
8. Stay informed, be prepared and follow public health advice.

“This weekend is Mother’s Day and a time to celebrate and honour someone important to us. We can all do something special for our mothers, whether they are near or far, in your household bubble or not.

“For now, avoid any close physical contact, unless your mother is in your immediate household. And if your mother is older, awaiting surgery or has an underlying illness, celebrate at a safe distance. Give your mother the gift of staying safe and healthy.

“Let’s continue to stand together in spirit as we stay apart and move forward together.”

Learn More:

For more information on BC’s Restart Plan, visit:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/covid-19-provincial-support/bc-restart-plan

For B.C.’s surgical renewal plan, visit:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/conducting-health-research-evaluation/reports-publications

For the slides presented at the May 4 media briefing, visit:
http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/modelling-projections

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

For guidance and information on self-isolation and self-monitoring, including how to isolate if you live with others, visit:
http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/self-isolation

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

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

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/

To learn more about Fair PharmaCare, including coverage, how to request an income review and the monthly deductible payment option, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/files/Register_for_Fair_PharmaCare.pdf

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

For a Chinese translation: https://news.gov.bc.ca/files/2020.05.08_New_ExistingCasesCOVID-19_CN.pdf

A backgrounder follows.