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Wednesday’s COVID-19 updates in BC

Published 10:59 PDT, Thu April 2, 2020

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The COVID-19 situation in British Columbia is continually evolving and the information below is current as of 3 p.m. on Wednesday, April 1, 2020.

Cases:

Total confirmed cases in B.C.: 1,066
New cases since March 31, 2020: 53
Hospitalized cases: 142
Intensive care: 67
COVID-19 related deaths: 25
Recovered: 606

Confirmed cases by region:

Vancouver Coastal Health: 497
Fraser Health: 367
Island Health: 72
Interior Health: 114
Northern Health: 16

New Provincial advice and measures:

NEW: The provincial health officer has issued new guidelines to support compliance with orders on business closures and gatherings, under the Public Health Act: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020EMBC0018-000617
NEW: Province supporting people with relief on power bills during COVID-19: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020PREM0018-000611
NEW: COVID-19 Supply Hub connects needed medical supplies to health workers: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020PSSG0023-000609
NEW: Zoom collaboration tool now available for K-12 continuous learning: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020EDUC0027-000608
NEW: The Province will provide provincial, disability and multi-sport organizations with the ability to access $5 million. This represents 50% of its annual 2020-21 provincial funding allocation, to provide these organizations with access to cashflow sooner: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020TAC0016-000603
NEW: Province extends state of emergency to support COVID-19 response: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020PREM0018-000607
NEW: Compliance and enforcement guidance about public health orders with respect to physical distancing: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/health/about-bc-s-health-care-system/office-of-the-provincial-health-officer/covid-19/brief_compliance_and_enforcement_march_31_2020.pdf
A full list of orders and letters issued by the provincial health officer is available: www.Gov.bc.ca/phoguidance
Latest COVID-19 updates and statements: https://news.gov.bc.ca/Search?q=COVID-19
Critical care and acute care hospitalization modelling information: https://news.gov.bc.ca/files/COVID19_Technical_Briefing_Condensed.pdf

New travel/federal measures:

NEW: Government announces details of the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy to help businesses keep Canadians in their jobs: https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/news/2020/04/government-announces-details-of-the-canada-emergency-wage-subsidy-to-help-businesses-keep-canadians-in-their-jobs.html
NEW: Canada Emergency Response Benefit to launch on April 6: https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/news/2020/04/canada-emergency-response-benefit-to-launch-on-april-6.html
For Government of Canada COVID-19 travel advice: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/latest-travel-health-advice.html

Media availability schedule:

Upcoming scheduled media availability with Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, and Dr. Bonnie Henry, provincial health officer, will be held:

Thursday, April 2, 2020 – 3 p.m., Victoria
Friday, April 3, 2020 – 3 p.m., Victoria
Saturday, April 4, 2020 – 12 p.m., Victoria

Resources:

For provincial support and COVID-19 information: www.gov.bc.ca/covid
For seniors looking for additional support at this time, call 211 or visit: http://www.bc211.ca/
For information for First Nations and Indigenous peoples in B.C., visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/indigenous-people/covid19
Help flatten the curve by checking symptoms online or downloading the app: https://covid19.thrive.health/
If you or a family member need additional medical advice, call 811.

Testing:

43,229 individuals tested as of March 31
If symptoms appear, check your symptoms online: https://covid19.thrive.health

If needed, call your health-care provider or 811 for further guidance.

Learn More:

For the latest videos and livestreaming of COVID-19 media availabilities:
on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BCProvincialGovernment/
on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/ProvinceofBC
on Twitter: https://twitter.com/BCGovNews

For information and supports that are not health-related, call 1 888 COVID19 between 7:30 a.m. and 8 p.m., seven days a week, or visit: www.gov.bc.ca/COVID19

For up-to-date non-medical information, including the latest travel restrictions and provincial and federal programs, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/covid-19-provincial-support

For recommendations on protecting yourself and your community, including for employers and businesses, visit: http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/coronavirus-(novel)

For common questions about COVID-19 and terminology, visit: http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/common-questions

For the COVID-19 pandemic preparedness and planning materials, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/about-bc-s-health-care-system/office-of-the-provincial-health-officer/current-health-topics/pandemic-influenza

For more information and latest updates on the #COVID19 pandemic, follow the BCCDC on Twitter: @CDCofBC or visit: http://www.bccdc.ca/