(Image Credit: BC Government / Ministry of Health communications)

By Dylana Kneeshaw

COVID-19 UPDATE

B.C health officials confirm 92 new COVID-19 cases in the province, with 396 recovered

Mar 28, 2020 | 12:40 PM

VICTORIA — As of Saturday (Mar. 28), provincial health officials have counted 884 positive COVID-19 cases within B.C.

In today’s update, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry, and Health Minister Adrian Dix stated there are 92 new cases in British Columbia.

In the Interior Health region, Dix says there are now 77 cases, with 6 of those individuals hospitalized.

Dr. Henry explained there are now 444 cases in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, 291 in Fraser Health, 60 cases on the Island, and 12 in the Northern Health Region.

Another death has also been reported in the Vancouver Coastal Health region.

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“We know that people who have been exposed in the last two weeks are continuing to get sick. And these measures that we are doing now are designed to try and prevent those transmissions from those people to the next generation,” Dr. Henry explains, “But any severe outbreak or cluster of cases is going to tip the scales for us.”

So far, 12 long term care homes have had at least one resident, or staff member test positive for COVID-19. Half of the homes are in the Vancouver Health Region, while the other half are in the Fraser Health area.

In today’s update, Minister Dix notes that 45 per cent of the cases in BC have now recovered, with 396 people reaching that point.

In regards to whether a full lockdown would be coming for the province, Dr. Henry says the measures they’ve already taken have been similar to the sweeping restrictions seen elsewhere.

“For example, how we closed the in-classroom schooling. But really, the importance of being able to support those essential workers like healthcare workers and grocery store workers to be able to continue our essential services, we need to have the ability to care for children. And that is what our Ministry of Education and school districts are working on.”

She says the purpose of all the measures taken is to reduce the exposure for those who are at a higher risk, and to bring physical distancing wherever possible.

Dix notes that the province is at a critical point in trying to flatten the curve of the virus spread, and people should not be letting up on social distancing practices.

“Are you thinking of going out and doing something other than essential work, errands, or exercise? Don’t. Stay home.”