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:

“We are announcing seven new cases of COVID-19, for a total of 39 cases in British Columbia. The individuals are in the Vancouver Coastal and Fraser Health regions and were confirmed positive based on BC Centre for Disease Control testing.

“Two cases are connected to the Lynn Valley Care Centre, three cases are travel-related and two cases are under active investigation.

“Case 33 is a woman in her 40s and case 34 is a woman in her 50s, both of whom work at the Lynn Valley Care Centre. There are no new resident cases.

“Case 35 is a woman in her late 60s who recently returned from a tour in Egypt. Public health teams across Canada are investigating other Canadians who were also on a similar tour. Case 36 is a man is his 90s who was on the Grand Princess cruise ship. Case 37 is a is a man in his 40s who recently travelled to Germany.

“Case 38 is a man in his 90s who has been admitted to hospital in the Fraser Health region and is currently isolated in intensive care. Case 39 is a man in his 40s who lives in the Fraser Health region. Public health teams are actively investigating both cases.

“Two patients have now been released from hospital: a woman in her 80s who was at Vancouver General Hospital and a man in his 60s who was in hospital in the Fraser Health region. Additionally, the first health-care worker from the Lynn Valley Care Centre with COVID-19 has been admitted to hospital.

“As part of our COVID-19 response, public health teams undertake source tracing and notification of close contacts, in addition to risk assessments to determine appropriate action to protect British Columbians.

"There has been a considerable focus on the Lynn Valley Care Centre in recent days. As the investigation continues, we have had to work hard to ensure there are enough staff to fully support the residents on site. We had some initial challenges but are confident we have the right resources now to move forward.

"We ask the public and the media to respect those needing to be at the facility – the staff, family members and public health teams – and refrain from approaching them at this time. This can make for a more challenging situation in what is an already stressful time for all involved.

“The British Columbia Pandemic Provincial Coordination Plan details the preparations and comprehensive toolkit to respond to the evolving outbreak. This will be an ongoing resource for the province.”

Learn More:

For guidance on mass gatherings from the World Health Organization, visit: https://www.who.int/publications-detail/key-planning-recommendations-for-mass-gatherings-in-the-context-of-the-current-covid-19-outbreak

For federal government recommendations on cruise ship travel, visit:
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/latest-travel-health-advice.html#cruise

For recommendations on protecting yourself and your community, visit: http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19

For the COVID-19 pandemic preparedness and planning materials, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/about-bc-s-health-care-system/office-of-the-provincial-health-officer/current-health-topics/pandemic-influenza.

For more information and latest updates on COVID-19, follow the BC Centre for Disease Control on Twitter @CDCofBC or visit the website: http://www.bccdc.ca/