Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, and Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.'s provincial health officer, issued a joint statement yesterday (Apr.27) regarding updates on the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) response in British Columbia 

They reported 50 new cases since Saturday, bringing their total to 1998. 1,190 people have recovered to date.  

Health region totals: 

  • 795 in Vancouver Coastal Health  
  • 879 in Fraser Health 
  • 117 in Island Health 
  • 164 in Interior Health 
  • 43 in Northern Health 

Of these, 97 individuals are currently hospitalized, 36 of those are in intensive care. 

There have been three new deaths for a total of 103.  

“Since we last reported, there have been two new long-term care outbreaks at the Valhaven Home and MSA Manor facilities in the Fraser Health region. In total, 20 facilities and three acute-care units have active outbreaks, with outbreaks now declared over at 12 care facilities, including most recently, Central City Lodge. 

There have been 11 cases of COVID-19 connected to the Kearl Lake North of Fort McMurray. Anyone who has been in Kearl Lake since March 24, or is a close contact of a worker and who has symptoms of COVID-19, is required to immediately self-isolate and contact 811 or public health for assessment and testing. 

“There is clear evidence that your sustained efforts to follow public health measures are working. Safe physical distancing, combined with self-isolation requirements, have slowed the rate of transmission.This is the work that we will need to do for many months to come, and this is what we need your help to continue. We must not allow hot spots to flare. 

“Through the commitment and hard work of all British Columbians, we are now making plans to ease restrictions and find our ‘new normal’ in the coming weeks. Our focus is to provide a consistent framework for sectors to operate within, as we have done with the many essential businesses. 

“To ease restrictions, we need to know that businesses are looking after your teams. Simply put, protecting your employees protects your business. How you do that is to ensure employees can safely do their jobs while at work, and equally important, are not penalized by staying home when ill. 

“Our go-forward plan is built on all our good work, commitment, and ongoing efforts to work together and take care of each other."

Watch the full update here: