There are now 25,474 cases of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in B.C. after health officials announced 516 new cases Friday.
Three of these new cases are epi-linked.
Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry reports that there have been 148 new cases of COVID-19 in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, 294 in the Fraser Health region, 17 in the Island Health region, 31 in the Interior Health region, and 25 in the Northern Health region
There have been three new health-care facility outbreaks at Agecare Harmony Court Care Centre, Discovery Harbour Care and Youville Residence.
There have been no new community outbreaks.
There have been 10 new COVID-19 related deaths, for a total of 331 deaths in British Columbia.
Of the total COVID-19 cases, 227 individuals are hospitalized, 57 of whom are in intensive care. The remaining people with COVID-19 are recovering at home in self-isolation. As well, 10,002 people are under active public health monitoring as a result of identified exposure to known cases.
There are 7,122 active cases of COVID-19 in the province, and 17,477 people who tested positive have recovered.
Public alerts and notifications are posted on the BC Centre for Disease Control’s (BCCDC) website and on all health authorities’ websites.
“Yesterday, new and expanded provincial health officer's orders came into effect around the province. The orders will help us slow the spread of COVID-19; to relieve the pressure on our health-care system and reduce the risks within our communities," said Henry.
“The provincewide orders are about all of us seeing fewer people, having safer workplaces and pausing higher risk activities.
“The orders on social gatherings and events are to keep our families and friends safe. The best way to do that is to decrease our social interactions and spend as little time as possible with those outside of our immediate household.
“In our workplaces, we want to be using all of the tools and resources to keep employees and customers safe and, importantly, keep as many businesses as possible open.
“We also know that physical activity is key to our mental and physical well-being. The orders on group physical activities pause the activities that have proven to be high risk and continue the many other fitness activities and sports that are much safer for all of us right now.
“We also strongly recommend that everyone focus on essential travel only and put aside recreational or social travel for now. It is not about community boundaries, it is about only going where we really need to right now.
“We are all feeling the strain of COVID-19. By taking a step back right now, we will all be able to enjoy the confidence in knowing that here in B.C. we have flattened our curve once again.
“Today, on World Children’s Day, let’s look to our future generations and the brightness ahead, and let’s do our part for every child in our province, our nation and the world.”
