BC COVID-19 DAILY UPDATE: Friday’s 29 New Cases Keeps Daily Average Below 30 For This Week

“Our go-forward principles are our playbook for where we are today and how we will move forward. They are the rules to help us decide what is safe for ourselves, our loved ones and our communities. These principles will not change until COVID-19 is no longer a risk to any of us,” Health Minister Adrian Dix and Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.'s provincial health officer, said in a joint statement.

By DESIBUZZCanada Staff

VICTORIA – Low daily cases continued Friday as BC gets set to reopen for business after the May long weekend.

Health Minister Adrian Dix and Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.'s provincial health officer, announced 29 new infections and one new death of COVID-19 for a total of 2,315 cases in British Columbia.

"Every health region in British Columbia has patients with COVID-19: 866 are in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, 1,089 are in the Fraser Health region, 125 are in the Island Health region (note: two cases were removed from yesterday's Island Health total due to a data error), 180 are in the Interior Health region and 55 are in the Northern Health region,” they said in a joint statement

"We are saddened to report one new COVID-19 related death in the Fraser Health region, for a total of 127 deaths in British Columbia. We offer our condolences to everyone who has lost their loved ones.

"In the last day, there have been no new long-term care or assisted-living facility outbreaks. In total, 16 facilities and five acute-care units have active cases. Outbreaks have now been declared over at 18 care facilities.

"Public health teams are also providing support to a number of community outbreaks, actively contact tracing those who may be directly affected and their close contacts.

"There has been no change in the number of confirmed positive cases at Fraser Valley Specialty Poultry, United Poultry in Vancouver or at the Mission Institution federal correctional centre.

"There are now 61 positive cases at Superior Poultry in Coquitlam and 17 connected to the Kearl Lake plant in Alberta.

"To date, 1,579 people who had tested positive for COVID-19 have recovered.

"Of the total COVID-19 cases, 73 individuals are hospitalized and 20 of those are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation.

"We must continue with what we have been doing, because it is working. We have flattened our curve and must keep it there.

"Until we move into Phase 2, the orders, restrictions and guidance remain in place.

"Our go-forward principles are our playbook for where we are today and how we will move forward. They are the rules to help us decide what is safe for ourselves, our loved ones and our communities. These principles will not change until COVID-19 is no longer a risk to any of us.

"Physical distancing is here to stay. We must continue to keep a safe physical distance from anyone outside of our household.

"There are no exceptions to staying home if you are ill. Even if it seems to be seasonal allergies, a cold or potentially COVID-19. And if you do have symptoms of COVID-19, contact 811 or your health-care provider to be assessed and tested.

"Travelling anywhere increases the likelihood of making us an unintentional carrier for COVID-19. While essential travel must continue, personal travel needs to be minimized, wherever possible.

"Our playbook for the pandemic has the 'rules' all of us must learn and follow. Keeping these top of mind will allow us to keep progressing through BC's Restart Plan:

Maintain physical distancing outside your household. For example, no handshaking or hugging, keeping your number of contacts low and keeping a safe distance.
Practise good hygiene - hand hygiene, avoid touching your face and respiratory etiquette.
Stay at home and away from others if you are feeling ill. That means staying home from school, work or socializing.
Make necessary contact safer with appropriate controls, e.g., using plexiglass barriers or redesigning spaces.
Increase cleaning of frequently touched surfaces at home and work.
Consider using non-medical masks in situations where physical distancing cannot be maintained, such as on transit or while shopping.
Continue to minimize non-essential personal travel.
Stay informed, be prepared and follow public health advice.

"This weekend is Mother's Day and a time to celebrate and honour someone important to us. We can all do something special for our mothers, whether they are near or far, in your household bubble or not.

"For now, avoid any close physical contact, unless your mother is in your immediate household. And if your mother is older, awaiting surgery or has an underlying illness, celebrate at a safe distance. Give your mother the gift of staying safe and healthy.

"Let's continue to stand together in spirit as we stay apart and move forward together."

The suspect is described as a heavy set South Asian male with a beard, 6'-6'2” tall, 30-40 years old, wearing a grey hooded sweater and black track pants. The suspect is believed to be associated to a dark grey vehicle with large wheels.

B.C. COVID-19 Response Update

Cases:

* Total confirmed cases in B.C.: 2,315

* New cases since May 7, 2020: 29

* Hospitalized cases: 73

* Intensive care: 20

* COVID-19 related deaths: 127

* Recovered: 1,579

* Long-term care and assisted-living homes currently affected: 16

* Acute-care unit outbreaks: 5

Confirmed cases by region:

* Vancouver Coastal Health: 866

* Fraser Health: 1,089

* Island Health: 125

* Interior Health: 180

* Northern Health: 55

New provincial advice and measures:

* Joint statement on Province of B.C.'s COVID-19 response, latest updates: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020HLTH0026-000847

* David Eby, Attorney General, has accepted an invitation to participate as the provincial representative on the federal government's Action Committee on Court Operations in Response to COVID-19: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020AG0026-000842

* Shane Simpson, Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction, released a statement on major encampments in Vancouver and Victoria: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020SDPR0026-000844

* Carole James, Minister of Finance, released a statement on Statistics Canada's April Labour Force Survey: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020FIN0030-000839

* Province, TransLink to ensure transit service in place to support restart: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020MAH0053-000840

* The latest modelling presentation and information is available online:

http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/modelling-projections

New federal advice and measures:

* Emergency Support Fund for Cultural, Heritage and Sport Organizations: next steps to support the industry impacted by the global COVID-19 pandemic: https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/news/2020/05/emergency-support-fund-for-cultural-heritage-and-sport-organizations-next-steps-to-support-the-industry-impacted-by-the-global-covid-19-pandemic.html

* Navdeep Bains, federal Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, announces new Industry Strategy Council on COVID-19: https://www.canada.ca/en/innovation-science-economic-development/news/2020/05/minister-bains-announces-new-industry-strategy-council.html

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks with premiers on continued efforts to address the impacts of COVID-19: https://pm.gc.ca/en/news/readouts/2020/05/07/prime-minister-justin-trudeau-speaks-premiers-continued-efforts-address