The last full week of April ended on a bad note for BC as new cases surged, especially in the Fraser Health region which includes Surrey, the region’s biggest city by population. Health Minister Adrian Dix and Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.'s provincial health officer, announced 95 new cases and two new deaths for a total of 1,948 cases in British Columbia.

By DESIBUZZCanada Staff

VICTORIA – The last full week of April ended on a bad note for BC as new cases surged, especially in the Fraser Health region which includes Surrey, the region’s biggest city by population.

Health Minister Adrian Dix and Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.'s provincial health officer, announced 95 new cases and two new deaths for a total of 1,948 cases in British Columbia.

"Every health region in British Columbia has patients with COVID-19: 778 are in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, 853 are in the Fraser Health region, 115 are in the Island Health region, 160 are in the Interior Health region and 42 are in the Northern Health region,” they said in a joint statement.

"We are saddened to report two new COVID-19 related deaths in the Vancouver Island and Vancouver Coastal health regions, for a total of 100 deaths in British Columbia. We offer our condolences to everyone who has lost their loved ones.

"There have been no new outbreaks in long-term care, assisted living or acute care in the last day. In total, 19 facilities and three acute-care units have active outbreaks, with outbreaks now declared over at 11 care facilities.

"Public health teams are also providing support to a number of community outbreaks, and we expect to continue to see more cases in the coming days as contact tracing continues.

"As of today, 18 employees have now been confirmed positive at Superior Poultry in Coquitlam, and 35 employees are confirmed positive at United Poultry in Vancouver. Additionally, there are 11 confirmed positive cases connected to the Kearl Lake project in Alberta and 118 inmates and staff confirmed positive at the Mission Institution federal correctional centre.

"To date, 1,137 people who had tested positive for COVID-19 have recovered and no longer require isolation.

"Of the total COVID-19 cases, 96 individuals are currently hospitalized, 41 of those are in intensive care, and the remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation.

"As we continue to move forward with our COVID-19 response, it is important that we don't leave vulnerable British Columbians behind. Everyone deserves to be safe, feel protected and have the support they need.

"We have two public health emergencies in our province, the overdose crisis and now COVID-19, making daily life an even greater struggle for many.

"Keeping a safe physical distance from others and staying home when ill are the best things we can do with COVID-19, but we recognize this can be extremely difficult for those with precarious housing.

"This is further compounded for people who may also face mental-health and addiction issues.

"To address these challenges, today the Province announced important action to provide safe housing, food and wraparound support for people living in encampments in Victoria and Vancouver.

"The addition of more than 1,000 hotel rooms provides a further means for vulnerable citizens to have access to secure housing with the necessary health-care and mental-health supports.

"This action is welcome news, reducing the immediate health and safety risks for people living in temporary encampments.

"We also know that being home more can unfortunately lead to increased stress and, in some cases, violence.

"If you are experiencing violence, we want you to know that you are not alone. VictimLinkBC is available 24/7 to provide information and services to all victims of crime, in addition to immediate crisis support for victims of family and sexual violence.

"We must do all we can to protect and support each other. We will get through this, but we will be stronger by working together to take care of our loved ones and ourselves."

B.C. COVID-19 Response Update

Cases:

* Total confirmed cases in B.C.: 1,948

* New cases since April 25, 2020: 95

* Hospitalized cases: 96

* Intensive care: 41

* COVID-19 related deaths: 100

* Recovered: 1,137

* Long-term care and assisted-living homes currently affected: 19

* Acute-care unit outbreaks: 3

Confirmed cases by region:

* Vancouver Coastal Health: 778

* Fraser Health: 853

* Island Health: 115

* Interior Health: 160

* Northern Health: 42

New provincial advice and measures:

* The Province is working with the cities of Vancouver and Victoria to transition people living in encampments in Oppenheimer Park, Topaz Park and on Pandora Avenue into safe, temporary accommodations with wraparound supports to protect their health and safety in the overlapping COVID-19 and overdose crises: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020EMBC0020-000759

* Encampment health and safety order from the Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General (M128): https://news.gov.bc.ca/files/M128-2020.pdf

New federal measures:

* The Government of Canada announced $62.5 million in funding for a new Canadian Seafood Stabilization Fund to help Canada's fish and seafood processing sector: https://www.canada.ca/en/fisheries-oceans/news/2020/04/government-of-canada-announces-new-canadian-seafood-stabilization-fund-to-help-canadas-fish-and-seafood-processing-sector.html