Dr. Henry ‘cautiously optimistic’ B.C. can move to next phase soon; 8 new cases

British Columbia is reporting 8 new cases of the coronavirus, including one new case in the Interior Health region.

It brings the provincial total to 2, 783 cases, including 197 in Interior Health.

Dr. Bonnie Henry said there are 190 active cases, with 10 of those people in hospital, with 5 in critical or intensive care.

There are no new deaths (total still at 168), and 2,425 people (87 per cent) have fully recovered

Henry said one of new cases is an adult connected to an independent school in the Fraser Health region, and the school has stopped in-class learning for the balance of year as a precaution.

There are no new health care related outbreaks, leaving 7 active outbreaks.

There are no new community outbreaks, and one at Nature’s Touch is declared over.

Henry said she is “cautiously optimistic” the province will be able to move to phase 3 of its restart plan despite still seeing new cases and spread in some communities.

“We’re not at that point where we can let down our guard. We need to continue to have the important measures in place that keep us all safe.”

Henry said travel within B.C. is one of the areas she can see being allowed perhaps by next week.

Health Minister Adrian Dix said the province is meeting its goals to return surgeries at B.C. hospitals to full capacity, with nearly 6,300 surgeries performed from June 8-14.

Dix also said staff at all 501 long term care homes in B.C. are now working at single sites, which was due to an order made by Dr. Henry several months ago.

The minister will provide an update on the cost of the program in the coming weeks.