COVID-19 outbreak at B.C. prison worries officials as province's case count rises to 1,517

B.C.'s provincial health officer says she is very concerned about the COVID-19 outbreak at Mission Institution, where 41 people have now tested positive for the disease, and seven are being treated in hospital. 

During her Tuesday briefing, Dr. Bonnie Henry announced 27 new confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus, for a total of 1,517. Three more people have died, bringing the total to date to 72.

Overall, 134 COVID-19 patients were in hospital by Tuesday afternoon, with 58 in intensive care. In an attempt to beef up the response to the outbreak at Mission Institution, a federal prison, a dedicated unit has been developed at Abbotsford Regional Hospital, and officials are looking into deploying a mobile medical unit if necessary.

A total of 942 people have recovered from their illnesses, and 4,703 beds in acute care have been cleared to make way for COVID-19 patients.  A total of 13,938 non-urgent elective surgeries have been cancelled since March 16 to help prepare the health-care system for a possible surge in patient numbers, while 8,221 scheduled and emergency surgeries have been completed.

Henry also announced a new outbreak at a long-term care home in Vancouver, at South Granville Park Lodge. It's one of 21 active outbreaks at care homes in the Lower Mainland. 

Another three people have tested positive for the virus at Bylands Nurseries in West Kelowna, where there is an ongoing outbreak among temporary farm workers.

Henry took time during her daily briefing to acknowledge that B.C. is still dealing with another public health emergency in the opioid overdose crisis. She said she is acutely aware of stigma surrounding drug use, the fears about accessing health care and the pain experienced by those who have lost family and friends to this crisis.

"I want you to know, you are not alone. We are not slowing down our response … we're not letting this crisis overtake our response to our overdose crisis," Henry said.

Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix both urged British Columbians to be understanding of others in these trying times, and not to think the worst of those seen travelling on the ferries or highways over the holiday weekend.

Dix acknowledged there was "a feeling" in certain communities that crowds of non-essential travellers left their homes over the weekend, but the data — particularly from BC Ferries — doesn't bear that out. He said most people are obeying Henry's public health orders.

 "Be generous in these times that are difficult for everyone," he said.

'It is going to be weeks'

Earlier Tuesday, TransLink said it was seeking emergency relief funding of around $250 million from the federal and provincial governments to offset losses due to the pandemic. 

The Metro Vancouver transit authority said commuters will see unprecedented cuts to service without emergency funding.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Tuesday the country is still weeks away from seeing business and school shutdowns begin to ease off.

"The reality is, it is going to be weeks still. We recognize that it is going to be important to get our economy going and that we will have to do it in phases. We will have to remain vigilant until such a point as a vaccine against COVID-19 is found," he said.

If you have a COVID-19-related story we should pursue that affects British Columbians, please email us at impact@cbc.ca.