11 new virus cases in B.C.; travel rules clarified

Today’s update on the COVID-19 Coronavirus reported 11 new cases, for a total of 64 in B.C.

All the new positives are in the Vancouver Coast Health District.

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said three are admin staff at Lions Gate Hospital in North Vancouver who had no patient contact. Five were travel related involving Iran, Egypt, Mexico and the Philippines. Another new case was at the Lynn Valley Care home in North Vancouver. Two others are still under investigation and specific information wasn’t available.

There has still only been one confirmed case in Interior Health, and that was early on in the outbreak and involved someone that had returned from overseas.

Dr. Henry also had more details on the cross-border implications saying that people like long-haul truckers and airline crews will not be subject to the 14-day self-quarantine request, but will have to self-monitor.

She added that not everyone who comes back from travel needs a test. If you feel fine and have no symptoms, just self-monitor, but seek assistance if your condition changes. She also made the ban on gatherings of more than 250 people an order, making it easier for groups to handle paperwork such as insurance claims.

With Spring Break upon us, Dr. Henry said the chance of contracting coronavirus in B.C. is still very low and says people should not be afraid to go out for groceries, to restaurants or do things like skiing or anything outdoors.

Health Minister Adrian Dix said more than 6,000 tests have been done in B.C., including 4,300 in the past week alone.