(Image Credit: BC Government)

By Dylana Kneeshaw

COVID-19 UPDATE

35 new COVID-19 cases reported in BC; health officials urge residents to avoid unnecessary long weekend travel

Apr 11, 2020 | 12:39 PM

VICTORIA — According to provincial health officials, there have been 35 new positive COVID-19 cases confirmed since Friday, for a total of 1,445 cases in B.C.

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry stated in an update today (Apr. 11), there were three additional deaths to report, with 58 people in the province losing their lives to COVID-19 so far.

Of the positive cases, Dr. Henry says 642 have been confirmed in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, 558 within Fraser Health, 84 on Vancouver Island, 135 in Interior Health, and 26 in the Northern Health area.

“We have no new long term care facility outbreaks,” she states, “There continue to be 20 with active cases, and we are up to 246 cases in long term care or assisted living – including 153 residents, and 93 staff.”

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Henry says the outbreak recorded at a correctional facility in Mission is being monitored closely. 26 people – inmates and staff- have tested positive for the virus, and as of yesterday (Apr. 10), five people from the facility have been hospitalized.

Throughout the province, 134 people have now been hospitalized for COVID-19 and 63 of those individuals are in critical care, or ICUs.

On the recovery side, Dr. Henry notes that 905 people have now fully recovered from the virus.

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Making a point to address those who may have considered travelling this long weekend, Dr. Henry says she sincerely hopes British Columbians avoided unnecessary travel. She adds that the physical distancing needs to be adhered to, alongside everything else the province is doing to slow the spread of COVID-19.

“This is not a time to be going travelling, even if its to a summer home or a cottage,” she stresses, “We hope that everyone is off enjoying time with their close family, with their households, and taking the time to unwind and be kind to each other.”

Acknowledging some reports, and photos circulating social media of people lining up for ferries during the long weekend, Dr. Henry says she was in communication with BC Ferries about whether passenger numbers were in excess.

“They do report that for one, the ferries are only allowed to carry 50 per cent of capacity, and we know that the schedule has been dramatically reduced,” Dr. Henry states, “And they did confirm that they’re only seeing a fraction of the traffic that they would normally on this weekend. So I am heartened that I think most people are doing what we need to do.”

On that note, Henry says the returning traveller protocols were implemented at international border crossings yesterday.

“So the requirement for an approved self isolation plan is in place for all returning travellers,” confirms Henry, “This is more about how we can support our fellow British Columbians and Canadians returning from other parts of the world right now, and making sure that they join us in our response to managing this pandemic, and keeping our families and communities safe here in British Columbia.”

To access the latest information and recommendations from the BC Centre for Disease Control, click here.