Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry speaking at a previous COVID-19 update (Image Credit: Province of British Columbia)

By Dylana Kneeshaw

COVID-19

B.C health officials reporting 21 new cases heading into May long weekend

May 16, 2020 | 1:24 PM

VICTORIA — British Columbians are being urged to continue with physical distancing, and stay close to home this May long weekend, as the provincial COVID-19 case count grows to 2,428 positive cases.

Provincial health officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry announced 21 new COVID-19 positives today (May 16), bringing the provincial case count to 2,428 people who have tested positive

Of those, 181 cases have been identified within the Interior Health Authority.

Dr. Henry reports there are currently 355 active case in B.C. Of those, 49 people are hospitalized, with 11 in critical care or ICUs.

One additional death has been reported today, bringing the provincial death toll to 141 lives lost to the virus.

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As far as recovery rates, Dr. Henry says 1,932 people are now fully recovered from COVID-19.

SUMMARY:

With Phase Two of B.C Restart Plan ready to begin next week, Dr. Henry says people need to remain vigilant about physical distancing practices over the May long weekend.

“We know that the risk is greatest when you’re in a group, and when you’re indoors. When the ventilation is not a great, and when you can actually spend time close to people in an enclosed space,” She explains, “This May long weekend we need to pause. We need to stay close to home, and think through how all of us in B.C will put into place our new safe social interaction rules for the coming days and weeks.”

On Tuesday, May 19, businesses can begin the re-opening process, provided they adhere to the orders from the provincial health officer. For employees heading back to work, Dr. Henry notes how important it is to stay home if you feel ill in the slightest, and not work through any suspected illness.

As people start to go out to these businesses and services, Dr. Henry stresses that the non-medical, or homemade masks are for keeping your own droplets to yourself, and should not be considered a replacement for personal protective equipment. She notes that wearing a mask does not replace physical distancing as far as virus prevention effectiveness.

For the latest information from the B.C Centre for Disease Control, click here.

To access the provincial government’s COVID-19 resource and information page, click here.