The B.C. Ministry of Health has reported 29 new test-positive cases of novel coronavirus in the province today, bringing the total number cases in B.C. to 1,824 people.
In total, 755 of these cases are in the Vancouver Coastal Region, 760 in Fraser Health, 111 on Vancouver Island, 156 in Interior Health and 42 in Northern Health region.
There are now a total of 103 people who have been hospitalized with COVID-19, 44 of whom are in critical care – ICU or acute care units — showing a continued decline in hospitalizations.
See also: B.C.’s COVID-19 curve has flattened, officials say due to stringent public health measures
Sadly, four new deaths were reported today and the death toll is now at 94 in total across the province.
In good news, a total of 1,092 people have now recovered from novel coronavirus in B.C.
Outbreaks
There is one new outbreak at a long term care facility located in the Interior Health region and two new outbreaks at acute care units across B.C.
Ten of the outbreaks at long term care facilities that were previously announced have now been declared over due to no new cases being reported within two incubation periods.
There are now a total of 347 cases in long term care, assisted living, or acute care facilities, specifically 217 residents and 130 staff members.
The coronavirus outbreak at the Mission Institute federal correctional facility now has 78 people who have tested positive for COVID-19. Five inmates have been hospitalized.
The outbreak at a Vancouver chicken processing and packaging plant, United Poultry Company, now has 29 employees who tested positive for COVID-19.
There is also a new community outbreak at the Superior Poultry processing plant — a sister plant of the Union Poultry company — that currently has two reported cases of the virus.
According to Dr. Henry, an investigation is ongoing into this community outbreak.
Island Health region
Specific data for the Vancouver Island Health region shows that there are 111 total cases of COVID-19 in the area.
BCCDC data shows that as of April 22nd, 76 people have recovered in the Island Health region and there were three virus-related deaths in total.
Five people with COVID-19 are currently hospitalized and one person is in ICU.
“We’re past that halfway point. We have not had a dramatic increase that accelerated upswing in many other places,” said Dr. Henry.
“Much of that is due to the way that British Columbians have responded together to keep their distance and do the things we need to do to manage things here.”
She reiterated the call for all B.C. residents to continue practicing physical distancing and all other measures required to continue to curb the spread of the virus.
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 2,712,425.
Over 190,100 people have died from the illness and 744,481 have made a full recovery.
