B.C. Covid Friday update: 40 new cases; five more deaths

British Columbia has had 40 new cases of Covid-19 in an update issued by the province on Good Friday.

Health Minister Adrian Dix and Dr. Bonnie Henry, provincial health officer, said it brings the total cases of coronavirus to 1,410.

“We are saddened to report five new COVID-19 related deaths, two in the Vancouver Coastal Health region and three in Fraser Health region, for a total of 55 deaths in British Columbia. We offer our condolences to everyone who has lost their loved ones,” said Henry.

The updated case counts per health region show two new cases in Interior Health which includes the Okanagan and Shuswap.

Six-hundred and twenty-nine (629) are in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, 539 are in the Fraser Health region, 84 are in the Island Health region, 132 are in the Interior Health region and 26 are in the Northern Health region.

“There have been no new long-term care outbreaks in the last day. Vancouver Coastal Health and Fraser Health teams continue to provide support to the 20 remaining affected long-term care and assisted-living facilities, which have a combined 242 cases of COVID-19,” said Dix.

To date, 879 people who had tested positive have recovered and no longer require isolation.

Of the cases, 128 people are hospitalized and 65 of those are in intensive care. The remaining people with COVID-19 are recovering at home in self-isolation.

“This holiday weekend is an important time for many British Columbians of diverse faiths. As we reflect on the past few weeks and the challenges we have all faced together, we are reminded of the importance of connecting and protecting our loved ones, our elders, our health-care workers and our communities,” stated Henry.

“This is not the time to travel, unless absolutely necessary. Stay at home and be creative with how you connect and celebrate with family and friends. Find the virtue in virtual and telephone connections. Find togetherness without gathering.”

While all BC Parks are closed, people can still enjoy some fresh air by going for walks or bike rides with family members in your neighbourhood and remembering to keep a safe distance.

British Columbians coming home from travel are required to self-isolate for 14 days upon arrival and complete a self-isolation plan

“It is crucial for all of us to stay strong in our commitment to flatten the curve. Consider the support that we can give one another, to our loved ones and in our communities, so we can all succeed in this goal,” stated Dix.

B.C. continues to be prepared for the event of a surge in COVID-19 cases. The 271-bed Vancouver Convention Health Centre and 80 new beds at Royal Columbian Hospital are set up as alternate care sites and ready to be used as needed.

For provincial health officer orders, notices and guidance, visit: www.gov.bc.ca/phoguidance

For recommendations on protecting yourself and your community from COVID-19, and to use an online self-assessment tool, visit: www.bccdc.ca/

The COVID-19 self-assessment app can be downloaded here: https://bc.thrive.health/