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 78 new cases, for a total of 4,274 cases in British Columbia.

“There are 578 active cases of COVID-19 in the province and 3,500 people who tested positive have recovered.

“Currently, nine individuals are hospitalized with COVID-19, four 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 1,306 cases of COVID-19 in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, 2,242 in the Fraser Health region, 150 in the Island Health region, 398 in the Interior Health region, 106 in the Northern Health region and 72 cases of people who reside outside of Canada.

“There has been no new COVID-19 related deaths, for a total of 196 deaths in British Columbia. We offer our condolences to everyone who has lost their loved ones during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“There has been no new health-care facility outbreaks in the region. In total, seven long-term care or assisted-living facilities and one acute-care facility have active outbreaks.

“There is one new community outbreak at the Okanagan Correctional Centre in the Interior Health region. There continue to be community exposure events around the province and on flights into and out of British Columbia.

“Alerts are posted on the BC Centre for Disease Control’s (BCCDC) website, as well as on health authorities’ websites, providing details on where the potential exposure occurred and what actions to take – whether you need to immediately self-isolate or monitor for symptoms.

“The modelling we presented today shows new cases in the 20-29 age group outpacing other age groups. We know that young people have the strength, consideration and compassion to fight the pandemic. We know because we have seen you do it before. We need to support each other to step up and do it again.

“This virus has consequences for every age group. It can hurt your heart and lungs, and leave you exhausted, even if you are a young adult. These symptoms can last weeks. That means weeks of your summer away from work and away from friends.

“Your actions also inspire others. Be a role model in your community and employ your layers of protection, keep gatherings small, have a designated ‘contact keeper,’ limit time with others, maintain physical distance and always stay home if you’re feeling unwell.

Quick Facts:

• Assisted living, long-term care homes and seniors' rental buildings with ongoing COVID-19 outbreaks are as follows:
  • Vancouver Coastal Health:
    • Holy Family Hospital long-term care facility
    • Richmond Lions Manor long-term care facility
  • Fraser Health
    • Dania Home long-term care facility
    • Maple Ridge Seniors Village assisted-living facility
    • Derby Manor long-term care facility
    • George Derby Centre long-term care facility
    • New Vista Care Home long-term care facility

Learn More:

For the latest modelling information, presented on Aug. 13, 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

If you have plans this weekend, follow Dr. Bonnie Henry’s Good Times Guide: https://goodtimes.gov.bc.ca/

For a listing of the community exposure events, go to:

BCCDC (flights, work sites, etc.): http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/public-exposures
Fraser Health: fraserhealth.ca/covid19exposure
Interior Health: https://news.interiorhealth.ca/news/public-exposures/
Island Health: https://www.islandhealth.ca/learn-about-health/covid-19/outbreaks-and-exposures
Northern Health:  https://www.northernhealth.ca/health-topics/outbreaks-and-exposures
Vancouver Coastal: http://www.vch.ca/covid-19/public-exposures

For B.C.’s surgical renewal plan and the first report on its progress from July 21, visit:
https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020HLTH0228-001337

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

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