Chief Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry providing an update on COVID-19 on April 30, 2020 (Image Credit: Province of British Columbia)

By Dylana Kneeshaw

COVID-19

Two additional deaths, and 26 new COVID-19 cases identified in B.C

May 2, 2020 | 12:39 PM

VICTORIA — The province announced 26 new cases of COVID-19 today (May 2), for a total of 2,171 cases in B.C.

In Saturday’s update, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says of those cases, 72 people are currently hospitalized with COVID-19 in British Columbia.

Two additional deaths were reported within the last 24 hours, for a total of 114 virus-related fatalities so far in the province.

Dr. Henry notes that currently, 1,376 people are considered fully recovered.

Interior Health’s case count grew by one in the last day, for a total of 175 COVID-19 cases as of Saturday.

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With today’s latest numbers, 832 have been identified in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, 992 in Fraser Health, 123 within the Vancouver Island Health Authority, and 49 in the Northern Health region.

Dr. Henry says there are 24 active outbreaks in long term care and assisted living facilities, with 416 cases associated to these incidents. She adds that 12 of the outbreaks in long term care have been declared over.

Meanwhile, another new community outbreak was identified related to Fraser Valley Specialty Poultry, with three new cases found.

Dr. Henry says 50 cases are currently associated to the outbreak at Superior Poultry, 42 at United Poultry, and 120 positive cases have been reported with the outbreak at the Mission Federal Correctional Centre.

As the number of cases associated to the outbreak at the Kearl Lake oil sands project in Alberta grows, Dr. Henry says anybody who has been at the site since March 24 needs to be in self isolation when they return to B.C.

“This disease is spread within families and within communities,” she notes, “So this is what we are requiring you to do. Recognizing that you have no control over whether you have been exposed or not, but we need you to take these measures to protect your families and communities here in British Columbia.”

Dr. Henry also took time to speak to youth in the province today, noting that she is aware of how difficult and anxiety producing the pandemic situation can be for a young person.

In regards to the graduation classes of 2020, Dr. Henry says while there won’t be in-person events for diplomas to be handed over, grads can still have a memorable experience despite the less than ideal conditions.

“You are, and will always be unique in the graduating class. It’s been over 100 years since we’ve had an event like this pandemic. Few of us have ever known, or will ever experience graduating during the circumstances of a global pandemic. And looking at how we can make that a special, memorable, and positive experience in your life. We congratulate all of you in your efforts so far. This has been a long road, and we’re not out of it yet.”

For more information from the BC Centre for Disease Control, click here.