Friday numbers again saw less than 30 new cases but four more deaths are taking BC’s number close to 100 as we continue to build towards an ease of restrictions and restarting normal life with many conditions. Health Minister Adrian Dix and Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.'s provincial health officer, announced 29 new cases, for a total of 1,853 cases in British Columbia.

By DESIBUZZCanada Staff

VICTORIA – Friday numbers again saw less than 30 new cases but four more deaths are taking BC’s number close to 100 as we continue to build towards an ease of restrictions and restarting normal life with many conditions.

Health Minister Adrian Dix and Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.'s provincial health officer, announced 29 new cases, for a total of 1,853 cases in British Columbia.

"Every health region in British Columbia has patients with COVID-19: 767 are in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, 772 are in the Fraser Health region, 114 are in the Island Health region, 158 are in the Interior Health region and 42 are in the Northern Health region,” they said in a joint statement.

"We are saddened to report four new COVID-19 related deaths in the Fraser Health and Vancouver Coastal Health regions, for a total of 98 deaths in British Columbia. We offer our condolences to everyone who has lost their loved ones.

"There have been no new outbreaks in long-term care, assisted living or acute care in the last day. In total, 20 facilities and three acute-care units have active outbreaks, with outbreaks declared over at 10 care facilities.

"Public health teams are also providing support to a number of community outbreaks, and we expect to continue to see more cases in the coming days as contact tracing continues.

"As of today, two employees have been confirmed positive at Superior Poultry in Coquitlam, and 35 employees have now been confirmed positive at United Poultry in Vancouver. Additionally, there are 10 confirmed positive cases connected to the Kearl Lake project in Alberta and 78 inmates and staff confirmed positive at the Mission Institution federal correctional centre.

"To date, 1,114 people who had tested positive for COVID-19 have recovered and no longer require isolation.

"Of the total COVID-19 cases, 96 individuals are hospitalized, and 41 of those are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation.

"Maintaining a safe physical distance, washing hands frequently and staying home when ill continue to be the best things we can do to protect our communities and continue to bend the curve.

"While our weekends are a time to unwind and relax, the exception is with these important health measures. As you get outside and safely spend time with loved ones, let's continue to stay strong and show care and compassion to those around us, by ensuring we do not undo all of our hard work and sacrifice."

B.C. COVID-19 Response Update

Cases:

* Total confirmed cases in B.C.: 1,853

* New cases since April 23, 2020: 29

* Hospitalized cases: 96

* Intensive care: 41

* COVID-19 related deaths: 98

* Recovered: 1,114

* Long-term care and assisted-living homes currently affected: 20

* Acute-care unit outbreaks: 3

Confirmed cases by region:

* Vancouver Coastal Health: 767

* Fraser Health: 772

* Island Health: 114

* Interior Health: 158

* Northern Health: 42

New provincial advice and measures:

* Thousands of small businesses in British Columbia will see their monthly rent reduced by at least 75%, thanks to the new federal-provincial Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance Program: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020FIN0024-000754

* Funding to improve rural internet connectivity: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020CITZ0008-000751

* Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.'s provincial health officer, has released guidelines to protect people working in the silviculture sector during the COVID-19 pandemic: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020FLNR0020-000752

* Henry issued the following order regarding industrial camps: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/health/about-bc-s-health-care-system/office-of-the-provincial-health-officer/covid-19/covid-19-pho-order-industrial-camps.pdf

* The Ministry of Attorney General is establishing two advisory groups to support government response to the impact of restrictive public health measures on the justice system: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020AG0032-000747

New federal measures:

* Governments invest $2.5 million to grow agri-food e-business during COVID-19: https://www.canada.ca/en/agriculture-agri-food/news/2020/04/governments-invest-25-million-to-grow-agri-food-e-business-during-covid-19.html

* Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announces partnerships with provinces and territories to deliver the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance for small businesses: https://pm.gc.ca/en/news/news-releases/2020/04/24/prime-minister-announces-partnerships-provinces-and-territories