"One additional residential care home now has a confirmed case - a health-care worker at the Broadway Pentecostal Lodge in the Vancouver Coastal health region. Public health officials are providing support to implement outbreak protocols.”

VICTORIA – Forty-two new COVID-19 cases were reported Wednesday by Health Minister Adrian Dix and Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.'s provincial health officer, during their daily update

"We are announcing 42 new cases of COVID-19, for a total of 659 cases in British Columbia,” they said.

"One additional residential care home now has a confirmed case - a health-care worker at the Broadway Pentecostal Lodge in the Vancouver Coastal health region. Public health officials are providing support to implement outbreak protocols.

"It is with sadness we share that one more resident of the Lynn Valley Care Centre has passed away. That brings us to a total of 14 people who have died after testing positive for COVID-19. We extend our condolences to their loved ones.

"Every health region in British Columbia has patients with COVID-19: 339 are in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, 218 are in the Fraser Health region, 47 are in the Vancouver Island Health region, 46 are in the Interior Health region and nine are in the Northern Heath region.

"Additionally, of the total COVID-19 cases, 64 individuals are currently hospitalized, 26 of those in hospital are in intensive care and the remaining people who have tested positive for COVID-19 are recovering at home in self-isolation.

"One hundred and eighty-three patients with COVID-19 are now considered fully recovered and no longer have isolation requirements.

"An order is in place prohibiting gatherings larger than 50 people. This is not an order of convenience, but a requirement to protect everyone in our province - especially our elders and those most vulnerable to severe illness - from COVID-19.

"We remind all British Columbians that while 50 is the number, the smaller, the better. Community connection is very important during this challenging time, but it must be done safely, either virtually or with physical distance. Celebrations and ceremonies need to be postponed.

"With enhanced cleaning and physical distancing precautions in place, we can keep everyone safe and keep many businesses going. Whether it is an essential service, a local coffee shop or a remote camp, employers can maintain operations by closely following these requirements.

"There are a number of new resources and tools available to help British Columbians who may have questions about COVID-19. Together, we can make a difference."

B.C. COVID-19 response update

Cases:

* Total confirmed cases in B.C.: 659

* New cases since March 24, 2020: 42

* Hospitalized cases: 64

* Intensive care: 26

* COVID-19 related deaths: 14

* Recovered: 183

Confirmed cases by region:

* Vancouver Coastal Health: 339

* Fraser Health: 218

* Island Health: 47

* Interior Health: 46

* Northern Health: 9

Testing:

* Testing capacity in British Columbia has increased to approximately 3,500 tests per day.

* 26,681 individuals tested as of March 23, 2020.

* Across Canada, there are more than 10,000 tests per day.

* Testing is available for all who need it, but not everyone requires a test.

* If you have no symptoms, mild symptoms or you are a returning traveller self-isolating at home, you do not require a test.

* For each of these situations, the public health advice remains the same, regardless of test results: self-isolate for 10 days to monitor for the development of symptoms or until your symptoms are completely gone.

* Those who have severe illness, require hospitalization, are residents of long-term care facilities or are health-care workers will continue to be tested.

* Anyone part of an active investigation or outbreak cluster will be tested so they can be appropriately monitored.

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

Provincial advice and measures:

* NEW: What you must do regarding COVID-19: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/about-bc-s-health-care-system/office-of-the-provincial-health-officer/current-health-topics/covid-19-novel-coronavirus

* NEW: Province provides guidance to mining and smelting operations during COVID-19 pandemic: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020EMBC0014-000560

* NEW: Province provides guidance B.C. manufactures during COVID-19 pandemic: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020EMBC0014-000559

* NEW: BC Summer Games are cancelled, Maple Ridge to host in 2024: https://www.bcgames.org/News/Latest-News/News-Category-List/ArtMID/1035/ArticleID/1895/2020-BC-Summer-Games-cancelled-Maple-Ridge-to-Host-2024

* NEW: A complete list of travel in B.C. affected by COVID-19: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/transportation/driving-and-cycling/traveller-information/travel-affected-by-covid-19

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

The self-assessment app can be downloaded at: https://bc.thrive.health/

For non-health questions about COVID-19, call 1 888 COVID-19 or visit: www.gov.bc.ca/covid19

For the latest videos and livestreaming of COVID-19 media availabilities:

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BCProvincialGovernment/

On Twitter: https://twitter.com/BCGovNews