What you need to know about COVID-19 in B.C. for June 18, 2020
THE LATEST:
Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry reported eight new cases of COVID-19 Thursday.
B.C. has had 2,783 confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date.
168 people have died but there have been no new deaths from COVID-19 since last Friday.
190 cases are still active.
10 people are in hospital, including five in intensive care.
2,425 people have recovered from their illness.
There are now more than 100,000 confirmed and presumptive cases in Canada.
B.C. has closed Peace Arch Provincial Park after a spike in visitors.
The province is consulting the public on how to spend $1.5 billion in stimulus funding.
Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry reported eight new cases of COVID-19 Thursday but no new deaths.
Henry has not reported any deaths since last Friday. So far, 168 British Columbians' deaths have been connected to COVID-19.
Thursday's cases put the total number of cases in B.C. at 2,783. Of those, 2,425 people have recovered.
The are currently 190 known active cases in B.C. Ten people are in hospital, including five in intensive care.
Canada hits 100,000 cases
Canada's total number of confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 has now surpassed 100,000.
Ontario reported 173 new cases Thursday, pushing the national total to 100,146 confirmed and presumptive coronavirus cases as of 9:45 a.m. PT.
The provincial government announced Thursday it is closing its portion of Peace Arch park at the Canada-U.S. border, after the number of visitors to the park doubled last month over the same period last year. The park, which straddles the international border, has been used as a loophole for loved ones to see one another despite the border closure.
The park is shared by B.C. Parks and Washington State Parks. The southern authority has not announced a shut down of its side.
Also on Thursday, BC Ferries announced it will bring back limited food service on certain routes. Hot food will be available on the Tsawwassen–Swartz Bay, Horseshoe Bay–Departure Bay and Horseshoe Bay–Langdale routes, while vessels on the Tsawwassen–Duke Point route will have café access.
Customers will have to take hot food to their vehicles, the outer deck or find a place within reduced cafeteria seating.
Long-term care home outbreaks
Two recent outbreaks of COVID-19 in long-term care facilities have now been linked to a small hospital in the Fraser Valley.
Outbreaks at Tabor Home in Abbotsford and Maple Hill in Langley are both connected to the outbreak at Mission Memorial Hospital, news that B.C. health officials have described as "very concerning."
The small hospital is now closed to everything but emergency or urgent visits, while public health workers respond to transmission of the novel coronavirus.
Meanwhile, Premier John Horgan announced Wednesday that the province is holding public consultations on how to spend $1.5 billion set aside to kick-start the economy in the aftermath of the pandemic.
He also said he's hopeful the province will be able to enter Phase 3 of its reopening plan next week.
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Important reminders:
Health officials widely agree the most important thing you can do to prevent coronavirus and other illnesses is to wash your hands regularly and avoid touching your face.
The World Health Organization said more than 80 per cent of COVID-19 infections are estimated to be mild.
What's happening elsewhere in Canada
As of 7:35 a.m. PT on Thursday, Canada had 100,026 confirmed and presumptive coronavirus cases, with 62,237 considered recovered or resolved. A CBC News tally of deaths based on provincial data, regional health information and CBC's reporting stood at 8,407.
For a look at what's happening across the country and the world, check the CBC interactive case tracker.
What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
Common symptoms include:
Fever.
Cough.
Tiredness.
But more serious symptoms can develop, including difficulty breathing and pneumonia.
What should I do if I feel sick?
Stay home. Isolate yourself and call your local public health authority or 811. Do not visit an emergency room or urgent care centre to get tested.
Find information about COVID-19 from the B.C. Centre for Disease Control.
Non-medical information about COVID-19 is available in B.C. from 7:30 a.m.-8 p.m. PT, seven days a week at 1-888-COVID19 (1-888-268-4319).
What can I do to protect myself?
Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly. Keep them clean.
Keep at least two metres away from people who are sick.
When outside the home, keep two metres away from other people.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
More detailed information on the outbreak is available on the federal government's website.
If you have a COVID-19-related story we should pursue that affects British Columbians, please email us at impact@cbc.ca
