The BC Centre for Disease Control has released an updated map of the latest coronavirus (COVID-19) hotspots in the province.
Each week, the BCCDC releases an update of the COVID-19 cases for the most recent seven-day period (Sunday to Saturday).
In the Lower Mainland, Vancouver has the second-highest number of new cases of COVID-19, with 1,060 cases identified over the past week. However, Vancouver is divided into six local health areas.
This week Vancouver - South (local health area 326) had the highest number of cases, with 230. However, it had fewer cases than it did last week when 256 new cases were identified in the local health area. Vancouver - Northeast (local health area 323) saw the region's second-highest number of cases this week, with 206.
Last week, Vancouver - City Centre (local health area 321) saw the highest number of new cases of COVID-19 in Vancouver, with 297. This week, the area saw the third-highest number of cases, with 201.
Surrey continues to see the highest number of cases provincewide, with 1,698; this also marks an increase of 125 cases in the city. Burnaby has the third-highest number of cases, with 431 identified in the past week.
The Tri-Cites local health area has the fourth-highest number of new cases in the Lower Mainland, with 411.
The map also indicates the average daily rate of new cases per 100,000 population by local health area.
Photo via The BC Centre for Disease Control People will be fined $575 for breaking the new order restricting non-essential travel in B.C.
Minister of Public Safety Mike Farnworth told reporters in a press briefing Friday (April 23) that a $575 fine will be issued to people who contravene the new order restricting non-essential travel in the province.
The new order prohibits non-essential travel between three regional zones in the province, using health authority boundaries. The new zones include the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley (Fraser Health and Coastal Health regions); Vancouver Island (Island Health region); and the Northern/Interior (Interior Health and Northern Health regions).
That said, not everyone agrees that the aforementioned regional zones will reduce transmission in key COVID-19 "hotspots" across the province. For example, several locals have commented on social media that the new order will not prohibit people from Vancouver from going to Whistler for vacations. Similarly, people who live in Surrey may still travel to Downtown Vancouver, while Vancouverites may still camp in the Fraser Valley.
Of course, Farnworth stated that the PHO’s guidance remains unchanged throughout B.C.: everyone should continue to stay within their local community – essential travel only.
