Judging by the weekend numbers, we are doing really well in BC as numbers from Saturday and Sunday are below last week’s daily average. Does that mean restrictions will be lifted in early May? We will know much more this week as provincial and federal politicians tell Canadians what to expect in terms of opening up the economy again,, even if it is on a limited basis.

By PD Raj – Senior Writer DESIBUZZCanada

VICTORIA – Have we really flattened the curve?

Judging by the weekend numbers, we are doing really well in BC as numbers from Saturday and Sunday are below last week’s daily average. Does that mean restrictions will be lifted in early May? 

We will know much more this week as provincial and federal politicians tell Canadians what to expect in terms of opening up the economy again,, even if it is on a limited basis.

Health Minister Adrian Dix and Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.'s provincial health officer, announced that for the two 24-hour reporting periods: April 11 to 12, and April 12 through to midday Monday, there was a total of 45 new infections with 25 new cases for Saturday and 20 for Sunday, for a total of 1,470 cases in British Columbia. There were 11 new deaths.

"Every health region in British Columbia has patients with COVID-19: 650 are in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, 591 are in the Fraser Health region, 87 are in the Island Health region, 136 are in the Interior Health region and 26 are in the Northern Health region,” they said.

"We are saddened to report 11 new COVID-19 related deaths, four in the first reporting period and seven since yesterday, for a total of 69 deaths in British Columbia. We offer our condolences to everyone who has lost their loved ones.

"There have been no new long-term care outbreaks. The 20 remaining affected long-term care and assisted-living facilities have a combined 256 cases of COVID-19.

"The BC Centre for Disease Control has joined Fraser Health teams to provide ongoing support for the outbreak in the Mission Institution, a federal correctional centre. The focus is to protect the B.C. public and support efforts to contain transmission within the facility. Federal officials have confirmed 35 cases of COVID-19. Eight people associated with the Mission facility have been hospitalized. These numbers are included in B.C.'s overall case count.

"To date, 926 people who had tested positive for COVID-19 have recovered and no longer require isolation.

"Of the total COVID-19 cases, 137 individuals are hospitalized and 58 of those are in intensive care. The remaining people with COVID-19 are recovering at home in self-isolation.

"Today marks the 50th time since the start of the outbreak that we have held a briefing to update British Columbian's on B.C.'s COVID-19 response. We stand together with you and will continue to provide you with daily updates until these briefings are no longer necessary.

"We are proud to have seen countless examples this long weekend of British Columbians doing the right thing and doing their part - staying home and away from each other - to protect everyone in our province.

"Enhanced border control support measures for travellers returning to British Columbia have been fully activated to ensure everyone is able to fulfill the requirement to self-isolate for 14 days. As of today, 1,701 travellers have been screened. Of those, 13 travellers have been provided accommodation to self-isolate and a further 207 have been contacted for followup support.

"British Columbians wishing to donate supplies or offer services are encouraged to use the BC Supply Hub. All donations are closely checked to ensure personal protection equipment for health-care meets medical specifications."

B.C. COVID-19 Response Update:

Cases:

* Total confirmed cases in B.C.: 1,490

* New cases since April 11, 2020: 45

* Hospitalized cases: 137

* Intensive care: 58

* COVID-19 related deaths: 69

* Recovered: 926

* Long-term care and assisted-living homes currently affected: 20

Confirmed cases by region:

* Vancouver Coastal Health: 650

* Fraser Health: 591

* Island Health: 87

* Interior Health: 136

* Northern Health: 26

New provincial advice and measures:

* Joint statement from Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, and Dr. Bonnie Henry, provincial health officer:

http://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020HLTH0019-000682

New federal measures:

* NEW: Keeping Canadians and workers in the food supply chain safe:

https://www.canada.ca/en/agriculture-agri-food/news/2020/04/keeping-canadians-and-workers-in-the-food-supply-chain-safe.html