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 15 new cases, for a total of 2,392 cases in British Columbia.

"There are 372 active cases of COVID-19 in the province, and 1,885 people who tested positive have recovered.

"Of the total COVID-19 cases, 58 individuals are hospitalized, 12 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 878 in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, 1,149 in the Fraser Health region, 126 in the Island Health region, 181 in the Interior Health region and 58 in the Northern Health region.

"We are saddened to report three new COVID-19 related deaths in the Fraser Health region, for a total of 135 deaths in British Columbia. We offer our condolences to the family, friends and caregivers of these individuals, 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 four acute-care units have active cases. The outbreak has now been declared over at the MSA rehab acute-care unit in the Fraser Health region.

"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.

“We are transitioning into Phase 2 of BC's Restart Plan slowly, with careful thought and consideration. While many of us would look to plan our summer activities well in advance, this year, with the risks of COVID-19 around us, we need to take things week by week.

“Less travel right now is what we are asking of everyone. There are so many activities and places for us to safely enjoy – close to home. Rain or shine, we can get outside and enjoy some of the best of B.C. right in our backyards.

“Top of mind for all of us needs to be: fewer faces, smaller groups, shorter time together and bigger spaces. Always thinking about location, duration and our relations will help to keep all of us safe.

“Let’s use this May long weekend as an opportunity for everyone to put our safe social interaction ‘rules’ into action. A safe path ahead is based on your personal circumstances and your actions.

“Let’s keep our curve flat and keep our province strong – together.”

Learn More:

To participate in the BC Centre for Disease Control's COVID-19 survey, Your story, our future, visit:
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, call 1 833 707-1900 to take the survey over the phone. Assistance is available seven days a week between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm. (Pacific time), in 150 languages. 

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/2020.05.14_New_ExistingCasesCOVID-19_CN.pdf

A backgrounder follows.