Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, and Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.’s provincial health officer, gave a joint statement on COVID-19 in British Columbia. 

Out of 2,667 tests, 34 new cases were found, making 285 active. There are now 2,888 recoveries. Of the active cases, 17 people are hospitalized with three in intensive care. There has been no new deaths and the total is at 189. 

There’s been no new cases identified in the Northern Health region and just three are active. They’ve had 66 total recoveries. 

Dix and Dr. Henry report that the COVID-19 curve in B.C. is still trending upward and need British Columbian’s help to bring it down. 

“Contact tracing three or four people is much faster and easier than trying to reach 20 or 30 people. With each additional person, transmission is greater and more people are at risk, which means more people need to self-isolate and limit contact with others.” 

They say to protect others by keeping groups small and spend time with people you know. In addition, practicing social distancing, wear a mask when you can’t, washing your hands, cleaning more often, following one-way pathways, and using plexi-barriers. They urge people to be courteous of communities you visit when travelling and stay home if sick.  

“Recognizing the risks within bars and nightclubs and the recent links to exposure in these locations, the provincial health officer’s order is being amended. All patrons must now be seated at a designated seat. There is no liquor self-service or dancing, and measures need to be in place to reduce lineups and gathering outside. Changes in the requirements of events have also been made to further reduce the potential for transmission.” 

“We can all have a fun and safe summer in spite of COVID-19. Let’s focus our efforts, be mindful of those around us and give each other the space to stay safe. 

“We are not going back to things we had to do before, but we do need to go back to safe social interactions, fewer faces and all working together to flatten our curve once again.”