What you need to know about COVID-19 in B.C. on May 6, 2020

THE LATEST:

• Small gatherings will be allowed again in B.C., just in time for the long weekend
• B.C. sends proposal to NHL to host games without fans
• Province announces 23 new cases and three more deaths.
• Some teachers in B.C. are returning to their classrooms as early as May 11.
• As of Wednesday afternoon, 2,255 COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in the province. 
• 124 people have died.
• 74 COVID-19 patients are in hospital, including 19 in intensive care.
• 1,494 people have recovered.
• Horgan, Henry and Dix to provide update at 10:30 a.m. PT Thursday on B.C.'s plan to restart cancelled surgeries.

After confirming three more deaths and 23 new cases of COVID-19 in B.C., Premier John Horgan announced the province will lift restrictions on small gatherings up to six people by next weekend.

"This is not a return to normal," said Horgan, joined by B.C. top doctor Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix. "This is a new normal."

The premier said the provincial restart will happen in phases, spaced out by two- to four-week time periods. It will start with allowing small gatherings, like backyard barbecues, as long as those participating aren't sick or showing any symptoms of COVID-19.

The first round of eased restrictions will happen in time for the Victoria Day long weekend. It will also include the opening of some B.C. parks, while haircuts and elective surgeries might be available again within weeks.

Restaurants and pubs will also be allowed to reopen over the next few weeks, as long as they are in compliance with physical distancing regulations.

Horgan said the province is preparing for the full resumption of classroom learning come September.

Horgan and health officials will expand on B.C.'s plan to perform surgeries put on hold during the pandemic at a news briefing scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Thursday. 

New cases

The total number of positive cases recorded in B.C. rose to 2,255 on Wednesday. The three additional deaths occurred in long-term care centres.

One was in the Island Health region and the other two were in Vancouver Coastal Health, according to the Ministry of Health.

Nearly 1,500 people have recovered from the disease.

Across B.C., 74 people with COVID-19 are in hospital, 19 of whom are in intensive care.

Plans for reopening

School districts across B.C. are drafting plans to reopen with teachers returning to classrooms as early as May 11 in some parts of the province. Plans, however, vary widely by school district.

Municipalities are also grappling with how best to move forward, with no timeline as to when COVID-19 will stop presenting a threat.  

Horgan said there is no timeline on when large gatherings, like concerts and sporting events, will return.

The priorities beginning in mid-May will include rebooting parts of the health-care system that have been idle, like dentistry, physiotherapy, chiropractic treatments, scheduled surgeries, outpatient services, diagnostic testing and imaging services.

British Columbians can also expect the return of services like hair salons, retail stores, museums, libraries, restaurants, pubs, office-based workplaces, transit, sports leagues and child care.

The goal, according to public health officials, is to allow for a return to about 60 per cent of normal interactions, without causing a surge in infections.

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'We're going to have to find our joy and our fun within our own neighbourhoods,' says B.C.'s provincial health officer.

In order to reopen, B.C. employers must have clear policies to make sure that anyone who has symptoms of a cold, the flu or COVID-19 does not go into work, provincial health officials said.

Sick day policies have to be developed on the understanding that staff will stay home sick more often, the province says, and employers need to come up with plans to accommodate seniors and those with existing medical conditions.

Thousands of British Columbians are currently out of work. Horgan said up to 400,000 residents have applied for the province's new emergency benefit.

Horgan said there must be definitive evidence that the curve has flattened before land border crossings are opened up.

NHL proposal

Horgan also confirmed that he signed off on a proposal to host crowdless NHL games in B.C. as the league looks to resume play following a months-long hiatus. The document was sent to the league and to the NHL Players Association.

"Assuming that the games would be played without audiences, but instead would be played for television," Horgan stipulated.

The Vancouver Canucks confirmed the team has put forward a proposal for Vancouver to be a "hub city" for NHL teams to play in during the COVID-19 pandemic if that's the approach the NHL decides to pursue.

"We would certainly have a strong interest in hosting games in Vancouver … provided the plan is in accordance with guidelines set by health authorities and the provincial government," wrote Canucks chief operating officer Trent Carroll in an email.

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry has also thrown her support behind the idea.

READ MORE: How B.C. plans to ease COVID-19 restrictions

• Your guide to financial help available for people in B.C. affected by the crisis
• How to apply for EI and COVID-19 emergency benefits
• Get the latest advisories, updates and cancellations for B.C.

Top COVID-19 stories today

• Gatherings of up to 6 people to be allowed again in B.C., just in time for the long weekend
• B.C. health officials report 23 new cases of COVID-19 and 3 new deaths​​​​​​
• Canucks and B.C.'s top doctor show interest in hosting NHL games in Vancouver
• The number of people in Canada killed by COVID-19 passed the 4,000 mark on Tuesday.
• A Pemberton homeowner says BC Hydro's COVID-19 relief program puts owners of single-family homes at a disadvantage.
• The Nadleh Whut'en First Nation, 143 kilometres west of Prince George, is banning tree planting within its territory in an effort to keep COVID-19 out of the community. 
• Municipalities in the South Okanagan are preparing for the arrival of thousands of seasonal agricultural workers by creating an environment and setting up practices to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
• A Victoria arena is set to become the province's first emergency response centre using pop-up pods for people who are homeless.
• An East Vancouver woman is using flower petals to spell out messages of hope for her neighbours.

What's happening elsewhere in Canada

As of 4 a.m. PT on Wednesday, Canada had 62,046 confirmed and presumptive coronavirus cases. Provinces and territories listed 27,006 of those cases as recovered or resolved. A CBC News tally based on provincial data, local public health information and CBC's reporting listed a total of 4,166 COVID-19-related deaths in Canada, with another two deaths of Canadians abroad.

The numbers are not a complete picture, as they don't account for people who haven't been tested, those being investigated as a potential case and people still waiting for test results. 

For a look at what's happening across the country and the world, check the CBC interactive case tracker.

If you have a COVID-19-related story we should pursue that affects British Columbians, please email us at [email protected]