BC looks to be over the hump as new cases continue to decline with Thursday’s announcement seeing only 14 new infections even though there were three new deaths. Health Minister Adrian Dix and Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.'s provincial health officer, announced 14 new cases, for a total of 1,575 cases of COVID-19 in British Columbia.

By DESIBUZZCanada Staff

VICTORIA – BC looks to be over the hump as new cases continue to decline with Thursday’s announcement seeing only 14 new infections even though there were three new deaths.

Health Minister Adrian Dix and Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.'s provincial health officer, announced 14 new cases, for a total of 1,575 cases of COVID-19 in British Columbia.

"Every health region in British Columbia has patients with COVID-19: 670 are in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, 630 are in the Fraser Health region, 94 are in the Island Health region, 149 are in the Interior Health region and 32 are in the Northern Health region,” they said.

"We are saddened to report three new COVID-19 related deaths, for a total of 78 deaths in British Columbia. We offer our condolences to everyone who has lost their loved ones.

"There have been two new outbreaks in the last day: the Kootenay Street Village long-term care facility in the Interior health region and an acute care unit at the Ridge Meadows Hospital in the Fraser Health region. Four facilities, where outbreaks had previously been declared over, have new cases. In total, 26 long-term care and assisted-living facilities and one acute care unit have outbreaks.

"Federal officials have announced 61 cases of COVID-19 at the Mission Institution (MI) federal correctional centre. Fraser Health officials continue to work with Correction Services Canada to manage this outbreak. There has been one death related to this outbreak. The BC Coroners Service is investigating as is standard process.

"To date, 983 people who had tested positive for COVID-19 have recovered and no longer require isolation.

"Of the total COVID-19 cases, 120 individuals are currently hospitalized, 56 of those are in intensive care, and the remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation.

"As we all continue to maintain safe physical distancing precautions and follow good hand hygiene, it is vital that we show care and compassion for those around us.

"This week, temporary foreign workers are arriving in our province to help sustain our food and agricultural supplies. We welcome them to our province as they complete 14 days of self-isolation.

"We have also put a new provincial health officer's order in place to require agricultural employers to establish and maintain infection control plans. To support these efforts, we have authorized bylaw enforcement officers to review these plans to ensure appropriate measures are in place to protect the workers and our communities.

"Our shared efforts to flatten the curve make a difference. Each day that we hold the line, we are stronger and better for it."

B.C. COVID-19 Response Update:

Cases:

* Total confirmed cases in B.C.: 1,575

* New cases since April 15, 2020: 14

* Hospitalized cases: 120

* Intensive care: 56

* COVID-19 related deaths: 78

* Recovered: 983

* Long-term care and assisted-living homes currently affected: 26

* Acute care unit: 1

Confirmed cases by region:

* Vancouver Coastal Health: 670

* Fraser Health: 630

* Island Health: 94

* Interior Health: 149

* Northern Health: 32

New provincial advice and measures:

* A new B.C. Business COVID-19 Support Service will serve as a single point of contact for businesses throughout the province looking for information on resources available during the COVID-19 pandemic: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020JEDC0008-000700

* The Province is providing enhanced relief for businesses by reducing most commercial property tax bills by an average of 25%, along with new measures to support local governments facing temporary revenue shortfalls as a result of COVID-19: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020FIN0020-000703

* The Government of British Columbia has launched Here2Talk, a new mental-health counselling and referral service for post-secondary students: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020AEST0024-000698

* ICBC takes further steps to reduce financial burden for drivers during pandemic: https://www.icbc.com/about-icbc/newsroom/Pages/2020-apr16.aspx

New federal measures:

* Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announces additional support for small businesses: https://pm.gc.ca/en/news/news-releases/2020/04/16/prime-minister-announces-additional-support-small-businesses

* COVID-19 guidance for high-risk and essential workplaces from Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety: https://www.canada.ca/en/centre-occupational-health-safety/news/2020/04/covid-19-guidance-for-high-risk-and-essential-workplaces.html

* COVID-19 related death of an inmate from Correctional Service Canada: https://www.canada.ca/en/correctional-service/news/2020/04/covid-19-related-death-of-an-inmate.html

* Statement by Marc Miller, Minister of Indigenous Services, on the First Nations Election Cancellation and Postponement Regulations (Prevention of Diseases) coming into effect: https://www.canada.ca/en/indigenous-services-canada/news/2020/04/statement-by-the-minister-of-indigenous-services-on-the-first-nations-election-cancellation-and-postponement-regulations-prevention-of-diseases-com.html

  • Joint statement of the Alliance for Multilateralism from Global Affairs Canada: https://www.canada.ca/en/global-affairs/news/2020/04/joint-statement-of-the-alliance-for-multilateralism.html