B.C. health officials announce 32 new cases of COVID-19 over 3 days and 1 more death
Dr. Bonnie Henry says more cases expected when Phase 3 begins, calling B.C.'s strategy 'a balancing act'
THE LATEST:
- 32 more people have been diagnosed with COVID-19 since Friday.
- One more death has been recorded in the province.
- There are 14 people in hospital with the illness, six of them in intensive care.
- There are currently a total of 2,822 cases.
- There are 182 active cases in B.C.
- 2,471 people have recovered in the province.
- There are no new community outbreaks.
- Phase 3 to begin in B.C. soon, though no specific date announced.
Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced 32 new cases of COVID-19 in B.C. on Monday and one more death, saying the province must proceed with caution as it continues the gradual process of reopening, which includes the easing restrictions on non-essential travel.
The new cases represent a three-day reporting period, from Friday, to Monday. There are no new community outbreaks in the province.
The number of people in hospital with the illness continues to remain low, with 14 patients in acute care, six of whom are in intensive care. There is one new confirmed case in the Vancouver Island Health Authority, the first in weeks, but Henry said the case should not be cause for alarm.
"This virus is spread between people — we cannot survive on this island without people coming back and forth with our groceries," she said.
Phase 3 coming soon
Henry said that B.C. will soon move into Phase 3 of its gradual reopening process but did not provide a specific date, saying Premier John Horgan will address the issue later in the week.
Phase 3 would allow for more travel within the province, though Henry urged B.C. residents to proceed with caution and be as self-sustaining as possible.
"If you're considering travelling to other parts of the province, we need to be respectful. Take the same precautions that we take at home," she said, adding that people should bring groceries with them if heading to a more remote community.
"Communities are still doing assessments to determine what's safe. They may not all be ready to welcome visitors."
Henry also urged people to exercise caution in the outdoors, as the likelihood of wildfires increases throughout the summer months.
"The burden of this pandemic is enough for all of us, so be extra vigilant when you're outdoors," she said.
Health Minister Adrian Dix said that while in B.C. the number of people in acute care has dropped to 14, just over the border with the U.S. numbers continue to grow, with record numbers of cases being recorded in Oregon, Washington State and California.
"People have made tremendous sacrifices to get where we are," he said.
"The need to maintain physical distancing has increased, not decreased."
Henry said that visits to long-term care homes in B.C. could become a possibility in the coming weeks, depending on the availability of staff and personal protective equipment.
She said there is no specific uptick in the number of cases that would trigger the province to revert back to Phase 2, but that some activities or workplaces could be further shut down if there is an increase in numbers.
However, Henry said to expect cases to continue to be identified as the province proceeds with reopening.
"As we increase travel across the province, we are going to have more cases. I think it's really important for us to recognize that we're in a balancing act here," she said.
WATCH | Dr. Bonnie Henry says easing restrictions is 'a balancing act':
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The short-term Emergency Relief Support Fund for children and youth with special needs and their families in B.C., which was initially set to end on June 30, will now be available from July 1 to Sept. 30. It will provide $225 per month for up to three months for eligible families.
The Vancouver Park Board is opening four outdoor pools, 10 spray parks and staffing nine Vancouver beaches with lifeguards for the summer.
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