Provincial health officer says anyone in B.C. experiencing COVID-19 symptoms can now be tested

VICTORIA — Provincial officials say anyone who has COVID-19 symptoms can now get tested for the virus.

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry made the announcement during her daily briefing Monday (Apr. 20).

Previously, testing was weighted toward people in high-risk populations, those who were hospitalized and in community outbreaks.

Henry says B.C. has recorded 52 new positive cases of COVID-19 since last reporting on Saturday, bringing the provincial total to 1,699.

The vast majority of those cases are in the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley regions, though Interior Health now has 153 cases.

Of that total, 1,039 are considered fully recovered, or 61 per cent. The total of those in hospital across the province is 104, with 49 in critical or intensive care.

Five more people have died of COVID-19 since Saturday, with the provincial death toll now reaching 86.

While one more community outbreak has been recorded at a retirement community in Maple Ridge, Henry says the Okanagan Correctional Centre has been cleared. Only one case was associated with that facility.

Meantime, Henry is warning those who have returned from an oilsands project in Northern Alberta to self-isolate.

The Imperial Oil Kearl Lake mine northeast of Fort McMurray has had an outbreak at its work camp.

Henry says anyone who has returned to B.C. from the Kearl Lake project since March 15 must self-isolate for 14 days.

She notes both Northern Health and Interior Health have recorded positive COVID-19 associated with Kearl Lake.