The B.C. Ministry of Health has reported 27 new test-positive cases of novel coronavirus in the province today, bringing the total number cases in B.C. to 1,517 people.
In total, 658 of these cases are in the Vancouver Coastal Region, 601 in Fraser Health, 89 on Vancouver Island, 141 in Interior Health and 28 in Northern Health region.
There are now a total of 134 people who have been hospitalized with COVID-19, 58 of whom are in critical care – ICU or acute care units.
See also: COVID-19 deaths in Canada could reach up to 22,000, Health Canada projects
Sadly 3 additional deaths were reported today, bringing the death toll in B.C. to 72. All three deaths occurred at long term care homes, two people in Vancouver health region and one person in Fraser health region.
In good news, a total of 942 people have now recovered from novel coronavirus in B.C.
There are now COVID-19 outbreaks at 21 long term care centres on the mainland, the hardest hit of which is the Lynn Valley Care Centre in North Vancouver.
That’s one additional outbreak since the past few days, at South Granville Park lodge in Vancouver Coastal Health Region.
The outbreaks include a total of 289 active cases at these facilities, including 169 residents and 124 staff members.
Dr. Bonnie Henry addressed the concerning community outbreak at the federal correctional facility in Mission, B.C. where there are now 41 confirmed cases of COVID-19, seven of whom have been hospitalized.
In response to this outbreak, the Abbottsford Regional Hospital has developed a dedicated unit to safety treat those affected by the virus. Fraser Health Region is also looking at redeploying their mobile medical unit to the Abbottsford hospital to provide additional support.
Another concern was the number of travellers returning to B.C. from other provinces last week and this week, in response to which the provincial and federal government enacted measures requiring travellers to present their self-isolation plan for 14 days after their return.
Dr. Henry says there have been 237 arrivals in B.C. since those measures were put in place. 24 of those people have been offered accommodation in which to safely quarantine, while the rest have presented adequate self isolation plans.
She says this is a “big success story” in keeping the firewall strong in British Columbia.
See all the latest updates about the global COVID-19 pandemic on Vancouver Island
The BCCDC has set up a 2019 novel coronavirus telephone information line at 1-833-784-4397 for those who have further questions about this disease.
Anyone concerned that they may have been exposed to, or are experiencing symptoms of the novel coronavirus, should contact their primary care provider, local public health office, or call 8-1-1.
The Province has also created the 1-888-COVID-19 line to connect British Columbians needing non-medical information about the coronavirus pandemic.
As of the time of publication, the total number of COVID-19 patients worldwide has risen to 1,990,746.
Over 125,900 people have died from the illness and 466,997 have made a full recovery.
