Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, and Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.'s provincial health officer, issued a joint statement regarding updates on the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) response in British Columbia yesterday (Apr. 20).

They reported 52 new cases from Apr. 18 to mid-day on Apr. 20 for a provincial total of 1,676. 1,039 of these cases have recovered. 

Of the total COVID-19 cases, 104 individuals are currently hospitalized, 49 of those are in intensive care

The cases by health region:

  • Vancouver Coastal Health: 700
  • Fraser Health: 705
  • Island Health: 102
  • Interior Health: 153
  • Northern Health: 39

There are five, new deaths, bringing the total to 86.

“There has been one new outbreak at the Chartwell Willow long-term care facility in the last day. In total, 20 long-term care and assisted-living facilities, and one acute-care unit have active outbreaks. Outbreaks have been declared over at six facilities, in addition to the provincial Okanagan Correctional Centre.

“We have also seen a number of new cases of COVID-19 in B.C. related to the Kearl Lake project near Fort McMurray, Alberta. Anyone who was at the site from March to present is ordered by the provincial health officer to immediately self-isolate for 14 days and contact your primary care provider, 811 or local public-health teams.

“The guidance we have in place for work camps clearly outlines how to safely operate, and what should be done in the event of a positive case of COVID-19. It is important that employers and workers continue to follow these guidelines to stay safe.

“Today, the Premier announced a new framework to provide additional support to our rural, remote and Indigenous communities. This framework recognizes and proactively supports communities that may have limited access to the level of health care that we find in larger, urban centres. 

“The framework provides more in-community support and testing, faster access to primary and urgent care, and other important social supports. This will enhance our province’s ability to provide care to all British Columbians and keep our communities safe, as we continue to do all we can to break the chain of transmission.

The province has updated its testing policies as the situation has evolved. 

“We are now using testing to help us quickly identify and address any new community clusters and outbreaks that may emerge. We want to avoid another spike in new cases and continue to flatten our curve.

Anyone with COVID-19 symptoms can now receive testing.

They encourage BC residents to continue to work hard to fight the pandemic. 

“We are not through the storm. We must remain vigilant to protect loved ones, elders and all of our communities. We will continue to take a slow and thoughtful approach, learning from other jurisdictions that are farther along, while staying alert to changes here in B.C.

“We can only introduce modifications to the orders we have in place with further improvement and with all us remaining 100% committed. Let’s stay strong.”

Watch the full update here.