Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, and Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.'s provincial health officer, issued a joint statement about the COVID-19 response in British Columbia. 

They report 12 new cases of COVID-19, for a total of 2,479. Of these, 307 are active and 2,020 people who tested positive have recovered. 

Currenlty, 43 individuals are hospitalized, eight of whom are in intensive care.  

Cases by health region:

  • 887 in the Vancouver Coastal Health region 
  • 1,223 in the Fraser Health region 
  • 126 in the Island Health region 
  • 183 in the Interior Health region 
  • 60 in the Northern Health region. 

There have been three new deaths, one in the Vancouver Coastal Health region and two in the Fraser Health region, for a total of 152 deaths.  

They declared two outbreaks over, at the Windermere Care Centre and United Poultry 

“Public health teams continue to provide support at the remaining community outbreaks, including at the Oppenheimer Group, those in the poultry sector, at the Mission Institution and with those connected to the Kearl Lake plant in Alberta.” 

They encourage the use of masks as they progress in to phase two of relaunch.  

"As we have seen on public transit or in a barbershop, a non-medical mask keeps our droplets in and provides an extra layer of protection for people around us when it is difficult to keep a safe physical distance or when services require people to be in close contact for periods of time. 

They assure the public that the appropriate measures are in place as students go back to school. 

“Schools have strict protocols for enhanced infection prevention and workplace health and safety. Safe physical distancing measures will be in place, and anyone who is ill will not be allowed into any school. 

“Like all illnesses that can be transmitted through close contact, school communities are notified as part of active public health contact tracing when someone in the school community has a confirmed case. Any close contacts who are susceptible are also required to stay home and self-isolate."

British Columbians are encouraged to fill out the survey of their experience so far with COVID-19.

Watch the full update here: