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 reporting seven new cases, for a total of 2,360 cases in British Columbia.

“There are 397 active cases of COVID-19 in the province, and 1,832 people who tested positive have recovered.

“Of the total COVID-19 cases, 63 individuals are hospitalized, 16 of whom are in intensive care. The remaining people with COVID-19 are recovering at home in self-isolation.

“Every health region in British Columbia has patients with COVID-19. Since the start of the pandemic, there have been 874 in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, 1,124 in the Fraser Health region, 125 in the Island Health region, 180 in the Interior Health region and 57 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 131 deaths in British Columbia. We offer our condolences to the family, friends and caregivers of this individual, and to everyone who has lost their loved ones.

“There have been no new long-term care or assisted-living facility outbreaks. In total, 15 facilities and five acute-care units have active cases.

“Public health teams are continuing to provide support for community outbreaks in the poultry sector, at the Mission Institution and with those connected to the Kearl Lake plant in Alberta.

“Every person in our province has been impacted by COVID-19 and the effects have been far reaching. Today, a provincewide survey – called Your story, our future – has been launched to hear about your experiences and actions in the COVID-19 pandemic so far. The survey can be accessed through the BC Centre for Disease Control website:
http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/covid-19-survey

“For those who cannot complete the survey online, or need assistance in another language, you can call 1 833 707-1900 toll-free to take the survey over the phone. Assistance is available seven days a week between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. (Pacific time), in 150 languages.

“The information gathered will help inform the decisions we make in the weeks ahead. The survey is also an opportunity for you to express your interest in participating in two important future initiatives: serology blood testing to determine immunity in B.C., and using technology to co-ordinate information sharing for contact tracing.

“We have learned much about the COVID-19 virus, but there are still many questions and much more for us to understand.

“Our health-care system has stayed strong in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, on International Nurses Day, we recognize the contributions of our B.C. nurses.

“Let’s honour and celebrate nurses everywhere for the incredible work they are doing right across our province – in hospitals, on our streets and in communities, large and small. Thank you for all you do.

“One of the ways we can show appreciation to all health-care workers is to continue to do all we can to protect ourselves, our loved ones and our communities. Let’s keep doing our part to keep our curve flat.”

Learn More:

To participate in the BC Centre for Disease Control's COVID-19 survey, Your story, our future:
http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/covid-19-survey

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: http://www.bouncebackbc.ca/)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: http://news.gov.bc.ca/files/2020.05.12_New_ExistingCasesCOVID-19_CN.pdf

A backgrounder follows.