Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.'s provincial health officer, and Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, have issued the following joint statement regarding updates on the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) response in British Columbia:

“Today, we are reporting 619 new cases of COVID-19, including four epi-linked cases, for a total of 39,337 cases in British Columbia.

“There are 9,329 active cases of COVID-19 in the province. There are 338 individuals currently hospitalized with COVID-19, 75 of whom are in intensive care. The remaining people with COVID-19 are recovering at home in self-isolation.

“Currently, 11,526 people are under active public health monitoring as a result of identified exposure to known cases. A further 28,448 people who tested positive have recovered.

“Since we last reported, we have had 121 new cases of COVID-19 in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, 384 new cases in the Fraser Health region, five in the Island Health region, 81 in the Interior Health region, 27 in the Northern Health region and one new case with people who reside outside of Canada.

“There have been 16 new COVID-19 related deaths, for a total of 559 deaths in British Columbia. We offer our condolences to everyone who has lost their loved ones during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We have had one new health-care facility outbreak at Courtyard Terrace Assisted Living. The outbreak at Royal Ascot Care Centre is over. There have been no new community outbreaks.

“Today, we shared our COVID-19 vaccine strategy in step with federal approval of the first safe and effective vaccine available in Canada. Next week, British Columbians will begin to receive the Pfizer vaccine, launching our provincewide immunization program.

“This is a significant turning point in our B.C. COVID-19 response that, simply put, will save lives.

“As we recognize this milestone and look ahead, let's remember the importance of continuing to work together, to follow the public health orders and to use our layers of protection until the vaccine is available for all of us."

Learn More:

For the latest PHO orders and guidance, visit:

For updated provincial health officer's (PHO) orders and new guidance:

For details on new restrictions, visit:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/covid-19-provincial-support/restrictions

For updated PHO orders, visit:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/about-bc-s-health-care-system/office-of-the-provincial-health-officer/current-health-topics/covid-19-novel-coronavirus

Find out where to get tested:

If you are experiencing symptoms, find a collection centre near you to get tested: http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/testing

For mental health, anxiety and other supports:

For mental health and anxiety support, visit: www.bouncebackbc.ca
Or: www.anxietycanada.com 
Or visit the BCCDC for further supports: http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/about-covid-19/mental-well-being-during-covid-19

For more information on overdoses, visit: https://www.stopoverdose.gov.bc.ca

People in BC experiencing violence can access VictimLink, a toll-free, confidential multilingual service available 24/7 by calling or texting 1 800 563-0808 or emailing: VictimLinkBC@bc211.ca (mailto:VictimLinkBC@bc211.ca)

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.

COVID-19 exposure events, updates and information by health authority:

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 the latest medical updates, including case counts, prevention, risks and testing, visit: http://www.bccdc.ca/ Or follow @CDCofBC on Twitter.

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.