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 13 new cases, for a total of 2,947 cases in British Columbia. Six cases previously reported have removed from the total, as they were identified as residents of another province and will be reported in their home province. This change is consistent with regular protocol.

“There are 162 active cases of COVID-19 in the province and 2,608 people who tested positive have recovered.

“Of the total COVID-19 cases, 19 individuals are hospitalized, two 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 995 cases of COVID-19 in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, 1,553 in the Fraser Health region, 132 in the Island Health region, 202 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 177 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 and the outbreak at Langley Lodge has been declared over. In total, three long-term care or assisted-living facilities and one acute-care facility have active outbreaks. 

“While cases continue to occur in B.C., there are no active community outbreaks.

“We encourage British Columbians to show compassion and care to those around us. This is our opportunity to demonstrate how we can all stay safe this summer.

“Following our rules for safe social interactions by keeping a safe physical distance from others, wearing a mask when maintaining distance is a challenge, keeping on top of hand hygiene and always staying home if you are sick will help protect all of us.

“Whether you live in B.C., are a visitor from another province or are in Canada for essential travel, we all have to do our part to protect our communities, our Elders and our loved ones.

“Anyone in British Columbia who develops symptoms of COVID-19, whether a resident or not, needs to isolate immediately and call 811 to arrange to get tested.

“We remind anyone coming to British Columbia from outside of Canada that federal quarantine orders require you to complete a self-isolation plan and self-isolate for 14 days prior to interacting with others.

“Remember that we don’t know everyone’s story and we are all working hard to stay safe. Be gracious, be respectful and kind. Together, our actions have flattened the curve and together we can get through this by staying 100% committed to our efforts.”

Learn More:

For the latest modelling information presented on June 24, 2020, 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.