As we celebrate our mothers and grandmothers tomorrow, let's show how much we care for them by ensuring we are doing all we can to keep them safe. If your mother is older, awaiting surgery or has an underlying illness, avoid any close physical contact and celebrate at a safe distance, unless she has been in your immediate household,” Health Minister Adrian Dix and Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.'s provincial health officer, said in a joint statement.

By DESIBUZZCanada Staff

VICTORIA – BC had another good week with low daily cases of COVID-19 as it moves to reopen economy on May 19 but the authorities are urging caution by all British Columbians if we are to truly make the virus go away.

Health Minister Adrian Dix and Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.'s provincial health officer, announced 15 new infections and two new deaths from COVID-19 for a total of 2,330 cases in British Columbia.

"Every health region in British Columbia has patients with COVID-19: 871 are in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, 1,098 are in the Fraser Health region, 125 are in the Island Health region, 180 are in the Interior Health region and 56 are in the Northern Health region,” they said in a joint statement Saturday.

"We are saddened to report two new COVID-19 related deaths in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, for a total of 129 deaths in British Columbia. We offer our condolences to everyone who has lost their loved ones.

"In the last day, there have been no new long-term care or assisted-living facility outbreaks. In total, 15 facilities and five acute-care units have active cases. Outbreaks have been declared over at 19 care facilities, including at Cedarbrook Chateau.

"Public health teams are also providing support for community outbreaks in the poultry sector, at the Mission Institution and with those connected to the Kearl Lake plant in Alberta.

"To date, 1,659 people who had tested positive for COVID-19 have recovered.

"Of the total COVID-19 cases, 69 individuals are hospitalized and 21 of those are in intensive care. The remaining people with COVID-19 are recovering at home in self-isolation.

"As we celebrate our mothers and grandmothers tomorrow, let's show how much we care for them by ensuring we are doing all we can to keep them safe. If your mother is older, awaiting surgery or has an underlying illness, avoid any close physical contact and celebrate at a safe distance, unless she has been in your immediate household.

"Give your mother the gift of staying safe and healthy this Mother's Day.

"To our seniors and Elders, we know how lonely it can be with your family and friends unable to visit you right now. The nature of COVID-19, with its greater impact on our older citizens, means the best thing you can do to protect yourself is to minimize your contact with others.

"For our Elders in long-term care and assisted-living facilities, we are working hard to find innovative ways to allow for that important social connection in a safe way.

" 'Few faces in big spaces' will be the key to our shared success. Let's continue to do our part to keep our curve flat."

B.C. COVID-19 Response Update

Cases:

* Total confirmed cases in B.C.: 2,330

* New cases since May 8, 2020: 15

* Hospitalized cases: 69

* Intensive care: 21

* COVID-19 related deaths: 129

* Recovered: 1,659

* Long-term care and assisted-living homes currently affected: 15

* Acute-care unit outbreaks: 5

Confirmed cases by region:

* Vancouver Coastal Health: 871

* Fraser Health: 1,098

* Island Health: 125

* Interior Health: 180

* Northern Health: 56

New provincial advice and measures:

* Premier outlines plan to restart B.C. safely: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020PREM0026-000826

* Joint statement on Province of B.C.'s COVID-19 response, latest updates: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020HLTH0026-000852

* British Columbians urged to prepare for fire season: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020PSSG0028-000845

* British Columbians urged to prepare for flood season: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020EMBC0026-000843

* The latest modelling presentation and information is available online:
http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/modelling-projections

New federal advice and measures:

* Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks with premiers on continued efforts to address the impacts of COVID-19:
https://pm.gc.ca/en/news/readouts/2020/05/07/prime-minister-justin-trudeau-speaks-premiers-continued-efforts-address

Resources:

* For provincial support and COVID-19 information, visit: www.gov.bc.ca/covid

* For seniors looking for additional support at this time, call 211 or visit: http://www.bc211.ca/

* For information for Indigenous peoples in B.C., visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/indigenous-people/covid19

* If you or a family member need additional medical advice, call 811.

Testing:

* For the latest statistics, including testing, visit the BC Centre for Disease Control's COVID-19 dashboard:
http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/data

* If symptoms appear, check your symptoms online: https://covid19.thrive.health
* If needed, call your health-care provider or 811 for further guidance.

Learn More:

For the latest videos and livestreaming of COVID-19 media availabilities, visit:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BCProvincialGovernment/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/ProvinceofBC
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BCGovNews

For the latest medical updates, including case counts, prevention, risks and testing, follow @CDCofBC on Twitter or visit: http://www.bccdc.ca/

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

For non-health related information, including financial, child care and education supports, travel, transportation and essential service information, visit: www.gov.bc.ca/Covid-19
Or call 1 888 COVID19 (1 888 268-4319) between 7:30 a.m. and 8 p.m. (Pacific time), seven days a week.

BC's Restart Plan lays out a series of steps that we will take together to protect people and ensure that our province can come back from COVID-19 stronger than before:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/covid-19-provincial-support/bc-restart-plan

For recommendations on protecting yourself and your community, including for employers and businesses, visit:
http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/coronavirus-(novel)

For common questions about COVID-19 and terminology, visit:
http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/common-questions

Worker and employer information:
For workers and employers who need help understanding the law and their rights, have workplace health and safety questions or who need help with claims, call:
Employment Standards Branch: 1 833 236-3700
For health and safety assistance: 1 888 621-7233 (1 888 621-SAFE)
For workers and claims: 1 888 967-5377 (1 888 WORKERS)