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 20 new cases of COVID-19, for a total of 2,869 cases in British Columbia.

"There are 179 active cases of COVID-19 in the province, and 2,517 people who tested positive have recovered.

"Of the total COVID-19 cases, 15 individuals are hospitalized, seven of whom are in intensive care. The remaining people with COVID-19 are recovering at home in self-isolation.

"Since the start of the pandemic, there have been 970 cases of COVID-19 in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, 1,504 in the Fraser Health region, 131 in the Island Health region, 199 in the Interior Health region and 65 in the Northern Health region.

"There has been two new COVID-19 related deaths, one in the Vancouver Coastal Health region and one in the Fraser Health region for a total of 173 deaths in British Columbia. We offer our condolences to everyone who has lost their loved ones during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"There have been no new health-care facility outbreaks. In total, six long-term care or assisted-living facilities and one acute care facility have active outbreaks.

"There have been no new community outbreaks. Public health teams continue to provide support for the two remaining community locations.

“Of the new cases announced today, one adult has been linked to a public school in the Fraser Health region. Being ready for this is something we planned for, and public health and education teams were able to quickly respond. Close contacts have been notified and no students are connected.

“Yesterday, Premier John Horgan announced that we are ready to get underway with our transition into Phase 3 of BC's Restart Plan.

“This means more parts of our economy, such as the film industry, hotels and spas, can reopen with safety precautions and measures in place. Many businesses that have remained closed will also be reopening their offices.

“This is an exciting time because it shows us that we have been able to find our balance in British Columbia. We have flattened our curve and are keeping new cases low, while slowly increasing our social interactions.

“This transition is also a time of fear and anxiety for many who have concerns that we are going too far and risking a surge in cases.

“We can all take confidence in knowing that we have established clear foundations for a safe path ahead. These are the foundations that will carry us forward for the remainder of this year and into the next, until an effective treatment or vaccine is in place.

“Continuing to use our layers of protection will keep us safe; always staying home when ill, fewer faces and bigger spaces, plexi-barriers and one-way pathways, washing our hands, cleaning more, maintaining a safe physical distance from others and using non-medical masks when distancing is challenging.

“We can all move at our own pace, based on our own risk assessment. Some individuals may choose to limit their social interactions, and some communities may decide that it is best for visitors to come at another time. As we go through our day, it is important to be respectful of those around us.

“We know what we do makes a difference. Let’s do our part by being 100% committed to staying safe.”

Learn More:

For the latest modelling information presented on June 24, visit: http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/modelling-projections

For more information about BC’s Restart Plan, visit: www.gov.bc.ca/restartbc

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

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 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

A backgrounder follows.