B.C. sees fewest COVID-19 cases since declaration of public health emergency

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry is encouraging British Columbians to take a survey, launched by the BC Centre of Disease Control.

The survey looks to establish the impacts of COVID-19, and help develop a plan for a potential second wave.

“The information gathered will help inform the decisions we make in the weeks ahead,” explained Minister of Health Adrian Dix and Dr. Bonnie Henry.

Dr. Henry announced 7 new cases of COVID-19 in B.C., for a provincial total of 2,360.

This is the lowest case count since March 12th, before a public health emergency was declared in the province.

However, another British Columbian has died due to the virus, with 131 deaths province-wide.

One additional death has occured. They were a resident of a long term care home in Fraser Health.

— My Prince George Now (@mypgnow) May 12, 2020

1,832 people have fully recovered – a 77% recovery rate.

There are currently 397 active cases, including 63 people in hospital, 16 of which are in critical care.

Critical care occupancy is currently at 46.2% according to Dix.

Health Minister @adriandix on the new numbers – “It’s a low day in British Columbia.” 3,760 beds available in the hospital system, a capacity rate of 66.3%. #bcpoli #COVID19BC

— My Prince George Now (@mypgnow) May 12, 2020

“We need to maintain control of COVID-19,” Dr Henry said, emphasizing the importance of continued hygiene, and physical distancing measures.

“The only travelling we should be doing right now is from phase one to phase two because COVID-19 isn’t going anywhere,” Dix said as he restated the virus is still present in every health authority in the province.

In their joint statement Dix and Henry acknowledged International Nurses Day:

“Our health-care system has stayed strong in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, on International Nurses Day, we recognize the contributions of our B.C. nurses.”

The breakdown by health authority is as follows:

873 in Vancouver Coastal Health (+1 from yesterday)
1,124 in Fraser Health (+6)
125 in Island Health (no new cases)
180 in Interior Health (no new cases)
57 in Northern Health (no new cases)

– with files from Catherine Garrett