The B.C. Ministry of Health has reported 43 new test-positive cases of novel coronavirus in the province today, bringing the total number cases in B.C. to 1,618 people.
In total, 680 of these cases are in the Vancouver Coastal Region, 661 in Fraser Health, 94 on Vancouver Island, 150 in Interior Health and 33 in Northern Health region.
There are now a total of 119 people who have been hospitalized with COVID-19, 52 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
No new deaths were reported today and the death toll remains at 78 in total across the province.
There are now 63 test-positive COVID-19 patients that have been detected at the Mission Institute outbreak and six people have been hospitalized.
In good news, a total of 966 people have now recovered from novel coronavirus in B.C. Data from the BC CDC shows that 53 out of the 94 cases in Island Health Region have been declared recovered.
“Recovery criteria for the Vancouver Health Authority have been updated to more accurately reflect recovery,” reads a statement from the Ministry of Health.
“New methods include consideration for specific patient symptomology. This has resulted in the decrease in patients considered recovered.”
There continue to be COVID-19 outbreaks at 20 long term care centres on the mainland, the hardest hit of which is the Lynn Valley Care Centre in North Vancouver.
So far, B.C. has conducted approximately 60,000 tests over the course of the pandemic.
Steps forward
Earlier today, health authorities provided modelling data to showcase the fact that he COVID-19 transmission curve has flattened in B.C.
According to provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry, the flattening of B.C.’s epidemic curve is owed mostly to stringent public health measures like travel restrictions, school and business closures, and physical distancing directives.
Based on modelling data presented today, the number of new cases of COVID-19 in B.C. started to decrease two weeks after these public health measures were introduced.
“We are in the eye of the storm in a Category 5 hurricane. The risk is still very high and there are many unknowns, but we are hopeful that with all of us standing strong, the storm will continue to lessen,” reads a statement from the Ministry this afternoon.
The province now plans to ramp up COVID-19 testing and contact tracing. Deputy Minister Stephen Brown says authorities will continue to stock up on ventilators and build up the province’s critical care capacity to prepare for a second wave of the outbreak that may occur in fall and winter.
There are a number of milestones the province has yet to achieve before authorities can consider lifting some more restrictions.
According to Dr. Bonnie Henry, we now need to see a continued decrease in numbers of new cases per day, no new outbreaks, and a decreasing number of people admitted to hospital for COVID-19.
Additionally, there needs to be an appropriate amount of testing available, — “we’re getting there,” she said on that score — and serology testing to be able to tell where community cases are originating from.
“Our new normal in the months ahead will be a modification of what we are doing now. The physical distancing measures, staying home if you are ill and following good hand hygiene will continue,” said the Ministry of Health.
The Ministry says they will reach out to different sectors of the industry to provide clear parameters and work with their individual needs to determine ways to reopen the economy in the coming months.
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 2,235,370.
Over 153,800 people have died from the illness and 569,937 have made a full recovery.
