Image Credit: Flickr / BC Government

By Ashley Legassic

COVID-19

‘We cannot afford a resurgence’: B.C. announces 43 new COVID-19 cases

Apr 17, 2020 | 3:50 PM

VICTORIA — Provincial health officials say there have been 43 new cases of COVID-19 in B.C., bringing cases in the province past the 1,600 mark.

In a joint news release, Health Minister Adrian Dix and provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry say 119 people are hospitalized with the virus — including 52 patients in intensive care.

Today’s (Apr. 17) news release did not make mention of any new deaths.

Henry and Dix say there have been no new outbreaks in the past 24 hours.

“In total, 20 long-term care and assisted-living facilities, and one acute-care unit have active outbreaks. Outbreaks have been declared over at five facilities, and in review, one facility had been included in error. We have confirmed that the outbreak at Broadway Pentecostal Lodge was an influenza outbreak and not COVID-19. The lodge has been removed from the list,” the statement reads.

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There are now 63 cases of the virus associated with the Mission Institution federal correctional centre — six of whom are being treated in hospital. One inmate from the institution died from the virus earlier this week.

Officials also addressed a discrepancy in some health authorities’ reporting.

““To date, 966 people who had tested positive for COVID-19 have recovered and no longer require isolation. Recovery criteria for the Vancouver Health Authority have been updated to more accurately reflect recovery. New methods include consideration for specific patient symptomology. This has resulted in the decrease in patients considered recovered.”

According to the release, the errors in yesterday’s data have been corrected and the accurate numbers are included in today’s cumulative numbers.

Henry and Dix specifically pointed to the need for cautious optimism.

“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.

“What happens next is directly tied to your continued efforts. We still have new cases, new outbreaks and tragically, new deaths. We cannot afford a resurgence that will undo all of the effort and sacrifices we have made so far.

“We all want opportunities for more social connection, but we’re not there yet. To safely ease restrictions, we must be thoughtful and careful in our approach. As we look ahead, we need to find the right balance. That is even more challenging because of the nature of the COVID-19 virus.

“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. And, it is vital that we continue to show care and compassion for those around us.”