(Image Credit: Government of B.C)

By Dylana Kneeshaw

COVID-19 BC UPDATE

29 new COVID-19 cases identified in B.C, as health officials address likelihood of summer event cancellations

Apr 18, 2020 | 12:47 PM

VICTORIA — With 29 new cases reported today (Apr. 18) by provincial health officials, there is now a total of 1,647 COVID-19 cases in B.C.

In today’s update, provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says three more deaths have been reported in the last 24 hours, all related to cases in long term care facilities.

686 cases have been identified in the Vancouver Coastal Health Region, 680 in Fraser Health, 97 on Vancouver Island, 150 within Interior Health, and 34 in the Northern Health region.

There are currently 20 outbreaks associated with long term care or assisted living facilities, with no new outbreaks recorded. However Dr. Henry notes with new cases reported in the current outbreak areas, there are now 288 individuals who have tested positive for the virus in those care centres.

In regards to the ongoing outbreaks at correctional facilities, including the Mission Federal Correctional Facility – which is now up to 70 people affected, including 60 inmates.

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“There are no new cases, and active support and outbreak investigations continue at the Okanagan Corrections Facility, and the agricultural area in the Interior Health.”

Of the total B.C cases, Dr. Henry states 115 people have been hospitalized, with 54 in critical care, or intensive care units (ICUs).

She also notes that 987 British Columbians are now considered fully recovered from COVID-19.

Yesterday, the province showcased new modelling information, which showed how B.C has done in terms of flattening the curve in the last few weeks. Dr. Henry says that it gave the province and idea of where and when some current restrictions may be lifted.

However, Dr. Henry noted that while there has been progress made with slowing the spread of the virus, the province is not out of the woods yet.

“We can’t lose sight of the fact that we continue to have people who are affected by this. We continue to have outbreaks, we continue to have transmission. So we are not at the point yet where we can let up our guard,” she stresses, “The storm is still raging and tragically, we see that in the fact that people are still dying of this virus in B.C.”

The risk of further outbreaks is still very real, and Dr. Henry says that the province will not be lifting any preventative measures in the next two weeks, but will review current restrictions in mid-May.

“We’ve talked a lot over the past few months about the fact that there is a long incubation period for this virus. People can be exposed and not be sick themselves for up to 14 days. So we have to think in two week increments,” she explains, “So what happened on the Easter weekend for example, we’re going to start seeing if there is impacts on our communities in the coming days.”

The restrictions will be lifted gradually, with health officials monitoring everything in those two week increments.

Dr. Henry also made mention of the status of large scale events such as major fundraising events, parades, the PNE fair in Vancouver, and other mass gatherings – noting that those will likely not happen in B.C this summer.

“Realistically, we will not be having those big events where people gather together this summer,” she says, “That is a much riskier prospect than ever before. We do not have enough herd immunity, or community immunity to protect everybody and allow that type of event to happen.”

Acknowledging that people do want to celebrate milestone events, and spend time with family, Dr. Henry says smaller scale alternatives will have to become an option.

“In terms of those smaller events like weddings and family parties, and anniversaries and graduations, again, this is a very challenging time. I know it’s really hard for people to think about having these events without getting together. But we’ve found some really innovative ways of doing that, so I would tell people to think small.”

Dr. Henry says right now those kind of gatherings are risky, so people should think about planning small events, or looking at how people can be brought together virtually.

“I do think there is possibilities in the summer that we’re going to have lots of opportunities to have more social interaction,” she adds, “But if you look at the modelling that we did, and we’ll be presenting more of this – we need to find a sweet spot. A balancing of connection that allows us to be with close contacts and close family, but still protecting our healthcare system. Protecting those who are more vulnerable to having severe illness with this virus. So it’s going to be a modification for the next year.”

To access the BC Government’s latest COVID-19 information, click here.

The BC Centre for Disease Control website can be found here.