(Image Credit: Province of British Columbia)

By Dylana Kneeshaw

COVID-19

Province reports 16 new COVID-19 cases over last two days

May 18, 2020 | 3:32 PM

VICTORIA – Provincial health officials announced 16 new COVID-19 positives today (May 18), bringing B.C’s total case count to 2,444.

8 cases were identified between Saturday (May 16) and Sunday (May 17), with another 8 reported between Sunday (May 17), and Monday afternoon (May 18).

In an update, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says 2 deaths have been reported since Saturday. So far, there have been 143 virus-related fatalities around B.C.

Of the total cases, Interior Health’s tally is 181 positive cases as of Monday.

Dr. Henry says 882 cases have been identified within Vancouver Coastal Health, 1,195 in the Fraser Health Authority, 126 within Vancouver Island Health, and 60 cases in the Northern Health region.

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There are currently 19 active outbreaks in various long term care or assisted living facilities (14 outbreaks), and acute care centres (5 outbreaks). According to health officials there are no new health care or community outbreaks to report today, with an additional outbreak being declared over in the Fraser Health Authority.

Dr. Henry says there are currently 335 active cases around the province. Of those, 47 people are hospitalized, with 12 people being treated in critical care, or ICUs.

Recovery rates continue to grow, with Dr. Henry reporting 1,966 of the cases being fully recovered from COVID-19.

Ahead of Phase Two of B.C’s Restart Plan tomorrow (May 19), Dr. Henry reiterated the importance of maintaining distancing, and staying careful with any outings.

Health Minister Adrian Dix noted that in general, he’s noticed the long weekend travel was mostly close-range, and highways and ferries were not overrun with non-essential travellers.

“Throughout the summer and well beyond, physical distance remains our constant companion. Physical distancing along with washing our hands, coughing and sneezing into our sleeves, staying home if we’re sick,” says Dix, “Respecting and support engineering and administrative safeguards like acrylic barriers and crowd control, and using a non-medical face mask when appropriate will protect us, our employees, our customers, those that care for us, and those who we love.”

Both Minister Dix, and Dr. Henry began today’s update with an acknowledgement of the tragic, Canadian Forces Snowbird crash yesterday in Kamloops. The pair offered their sincere condolences to the loved ones of those involved in the incident, and thanked first responders for their quick action.

“We thank the Snowbirds, the Royal Canadian Air Force, and the Canadian Armed Forces for the work that they do to support us across the country,” says Dr. Henry, “We stand beside you with our hands on our hearts in sorrow, and in strength.”