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 providing case updates for three 24-hour reporting periods. In the first reporting period from June 26 to June 27, we had 10 new cases. In the second reporting period from June 27 to June 28, we had 14 cases. In the last 24 hours, we have had a further two new cases.

“This represents 26 new cases since we reported on Friday, for a total of 2,904 cases in British Columbia.

“There are 153 active cases of COVID-19 in the province, and 2,577 people who tested positive have recovered.

"Of the total COVID-19 cases, 18 individuals are hospitalized, five 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 979 cases of COVID-19 in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, 1,529 in the Fraser Health region, 131 in the Island Health region, 200 in the Interior Health region and 65 in the Northern Health region.

“There have been no new COVID-19 related deaths for a total of 174 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, five long-term care or assisted-living facilities and one acute care facility have active outbreaks.

“There has been one new exposure event at Brandi’s Exotic Show Lounge in the Vancouver Coastal Health region. Public health teams are actively contact tracing and have issued an alert for anyone who may have been at the premises June 21, 22, 23 and 24 between 9 p.m. and 3 a.m.

“The outbreak at the Beresford Warming Centre has been declared over. Public health teams continue to provide support for the one additional community location.

“COVID-19 remains a high risk for everyone in our province even though the number of new cases is low. As we gradually transition into Phase 3 of BC's Restart Plan, we must remain vigilant.

“A key part of our efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 is for all of us to support contact tracing efforts, by keeping our bubbles small and paying attention to where we go and who we are seeing. It is a team effort requiring all of us to participate.

“In this most recent community outbreak, public health teams were required to issue a public alert because they have been unable to reach all those who may be at risk.

“Here in British Columbia, we have established clear rules for safe social interactions that apply to everyone. These foundational rules allow us to increase our time with others, to restart many businesses and most importantly, to stay safe.

“We want to be absolutely clear there are no exceptions or half measures. British Columbians have flattened our curve. To be successful and weather this storm, everyone needs to do their part, whether at home, at work or travelling.

“Businesses need to understand that they are responsible for keeping their employees safe and for taking appropriate precautions to protect employees while they are at work.

“Visitors from other parts of Canada or within the province need to stay home if they are ill. Now is not the time to travel with any symptoms of COVID-19.

“One slip is all we need to cause a significant rebound, something we are working extremely hard to avoid.

“Phase 3 allows for more types of activities, but how we interact with each other does not change. We have to remember that when the virus is anywhere, the risk is everywhere, so let’s show kindness and respect to others by remaining 100% committed to our efforts.”

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: https://www.facebook.com/BCProvincialGovernment
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BCGovNews 
YouTube: www.youtube.com/ProvinceofBC

A backgrounder follows.