There are now 1490 cases of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in B.C., after health officials announced 45 new cases Monday.
Between Apr. 11 and Apr. 12, there were 25 new cases, and between Apr. 12 and Apr. 13, there were 20 new cases.
Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry reports that there are 650 cases in Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»Coastal Health (VCH), 591 in Fraser Health, 87 on Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»Island, 136 in Interior Health and 26 in Northern Health.
There are no new cases associated with long-term care facilities. Currently, there are 20 active outbreaks in facilities in the Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»Coastal Health and Fraser Health regions. However, there are now 254 people who have tested positive in these facilities; 159 are residents, while 97 are staff.
There has been a new case related to an outbreak in the interior which involves temporary foreign workers, bringing the number of people who have tested positive to 20.
There has also been an additional case at an Okanagan correctional facility. The outbreak remains under observation.
The outbreak at the Mission federal correctional institute in the Fraser Valley continues to grow. Now, the institute has 35 people who have tested positive, and 8 are now in hospital.
"This is of great concern to us," remarks Henry.
There are currently 137 people in acute care in hospital, and 58 are in intensive care.
There have been 11 new deaths. This brings the provincial total of fatalities to 69.
905 people have fully recovered and are no longer in isolation.
Henry notest that one of the key things that the Province has implemented is the requirement for improved self-isolation plans for all returning travellers. She notes that the initiative is to provide the neccessary supports that enable individuals to self-isolate.
Since April 10, Henry says that 1701 people have returned from around the world by vehicle or air, and 13 travellers required accommodation because they could not immediately fulfull their self-isolation plan. 207 people have been contacted to ensure that they have what they need in follow up.
Henry also encourages everyone to be kind to people who have to continue to work during the pandemic, such as those working in grocery stores, pharmacies, and in health care. She adds that isolation can be challenging, and that anyone who has an underlying illness should contact a doctor through virtual care. She mentions and as useful resources for mental health.
In a previous briefing, Henry noted that people should consult the new online assessment tool if they aren't sure if they require further testing or assessment for COVID-19. She also underscored the importance of physical distancing, hand washing, covering your mouth if you cough, not touching your face and staying home if you are sick.
