Cases of COVID decline from yesterday, though four more deaths recorded as part of review of Tuesday findings from British Columbia

The Tuesday review of information from Health Minister Adrian Dix and Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry provided for another day of low new case counts of COVID-19, though that positive trend was measured by the announcement that four more British Columbians have
succumbed to the virus.

25 new test positive cases were recorded in the last 24 hours, which is a decline from yesterday's totals, the breakdown included:

1,291 Total reported positive cases: 603 are in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, 458 are in the Fraser Health region, 79 are in the Island Health region, 128 are in the Interior Health region and 23 are in the Northern Health region.

Dr. Henry also relayed thoughts towards four more passings in the province from the virus.

 “We are saddened to report a further four COVID-19 related deaths in the Vancouver Coastal and Fraser health regions for a total of 43 deaths in British Columbia. We offer our condolences to everyone who has lost their loved ones."

There were also some positive trends from other reports related to the COVID-19 outbreak:

 “There have been no new long-term care facility outbreaks in the last day. Vancouver Coastal and Fraser health teams continue to provide support to the affected long-term care and assisted-living facilities, which have a combined 213 cases of COVID-19.

To date, 805 people who had tested positive for COVID-19 have recovered and no longer require isolation.

Of the total COVID-19 cases, 138 individuals are hospitalized, and 66 of those are in intensive care."

For the Northern Health region, the Health Minister made note of decline of hospitalization cases in this region, with 4 cases requiring hospital care recorded in the Northern Health catchment area,

The remaining people with COVID-19 are recovering at home in self-isolation.

Mr. Dix also outlined some of the work the province has done towards acquiring more Personal Protective Items for medical professionals in British Columbia, highlighting the close relationship that the province has forged with the Federal government towards resolving concerns over equipment supply.

Both the Provincial Health Officer and Health Minister observed as to the important religious days ahead, with the strong guidance that this is not the time to be making travel plans whether to a cabin, cottage or other location, or to visit family whether in their hometowns or in other towns and cities in the province.

“Starting tomorrow and over the coming days, British Columbians of many faiths, along with millions around the world, will be celebrating major religious holidays in ways that many have never experienced before. 

B.C.’s faith leaders have taken the challenge of maintaining physical distance to heart and are using these holidays as an opportunity to reinforce our commitment to showing kindness and care for our communities. 

We call on faith leaders, followers and congregations to pay special attention to our Elders and seniors to ensure we protect them by connecting safely from a distance. 

We know many people must manage chronic diseases and other health issues. We encourage people to continue to connect with their primary care provider or family physician for ongoing care. Phone and virtual resources are available for everyone. 

This long weekend, we need to stay home, to stay in our communities and to stay at a safe physical distance from others when outside. Avoiding unnecessary travel, particularly to smaller communities, where they may be unable to support you if you get sick and where they have fewer resources, is an important way we can protect ourselves and our loved ones. 

Let’s continue to stand united, to stay strong and do all we can to flatten the curve.”

For a guiding theme for residents of the province as the holiday weekend nears, the Health Minister outlined how everyone working on the COVID response would like us to remember to continue to work "to bend the curve, not to bend the rules this weekend"

You  can review the Tuesday statement from the province here.

The BC Centre for Disease control has some valuable Coronavirus notes related to COVID-19 you can explore that information here.

You can learn more about the outbreak from both the Province and the Federal government from the links below:

Federal Government site

British Columbia Government site

The World Health Organization website also offers up the latest advisories on the global situation.

More from  Northern Health can be reviewed here 

You can review our archive of past statements and local information here.

Local governments and organizations have also provided for increased awareness of COVID-19 issues, the string of statements that came quickly at the end of the week can be reviewed here.

For notes from across Canada and British Columbia we have been archiving the latest items through our political portal Darcy McGee

Ottawa Observations

Victoria Viewpoints


Cross posted from the North Coast Review.