What you need to know about COVID-19 in B.C. on March 27, 2020
Officials say physical distancing measures are working to cut the infection rate of the coronavirus
THE LATEST:
- B.C. health officials say physical distancing has slowed the number of new COVID-19 cases.
- B.C. hospitals are reasonably prepared for an influx of patients, according to a report.
- B.C. now has 792 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 16 deaths. 275 patients have recovered.
- Staff members at long-term care facilities in Langley and Surrey have tested positive for the virus.
- The federal government has boosted wage subsidies for small, medium businesses to avoid layoffs.
- The B.C. Arts Council has made a $3 million fund available for arts groups affected by COVID 19.
- The province has used its emergency powers to suspend the legal time limitations to begin proceedings at all levels of court for civil and family actions.
- Farmers markets are now restricted to selling food only.
B.C. health officials believe physical distancing restrictions have slowed the rate of spread of new COVID-19 cases by half.
However, they say the provincial health-care system still needs to be prepared for an inevitable surge in hospitalizations.
A new report found B.C. is "reasonably" prepared to handle the influx of patients, with 17 of its biggest hospitals now identified as primary COVID-19 treatment sites.
Another 67 people in B.C. have been diagnosed with COVID-19 as of Friday afternoon, and two more people have died, for a total of 792 cases and 16 deaths in the province. Officials say 275 people have recovered.
Staff infected at 2 care homes
In Langley and Surrey, residents at two long-term care homes are being monitored for COVID-19 symptoms after two staff members tested positive for the virus.
The disease has now been confirmed in 11 long-term care facilities in the Lower Mainland.
This week, the province has implemented a new policy that restricts care providers to working at only one facility at a time in order to keep the virus from spreading between care homes.
More government subsidies
Friday morning, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced enhanced measures to keep employees on the payroll.
Federal help for small and medium-sized businesses will now include a 75 per cent wage subsidy and guaranteed interest-free loans.
Back in B.C., the minister of tourism, arts and culture set up a new $3 million fund to help non-profit arts organizations impacted by COVID-19.
The fund will be administered by the B.C. Arts Council.
Courts and farmers markets impacted
Meanwhile, the minister of public safety and solicitor general has suspended mandatory periods to start court proceedings in Supreme Court, Family Court and the Court of Appeal during the current state of emergency.
Earlier this month, B.C. Supreme Court Chief Justice Christopher Hinkson suspended the court's regular operations in order to comply with public health guidelines and contain the spread of COVID-19.
Also on Friday, provincial health officer Bonnie Henry ordered all farmers markets to close except those that sell food.
Food sales are considered an essential service; the order is meant to stop people from gathering at the markets.
B.C. farmers markets have launched an online store to serve communities across the province. The province is providing $55,000 to cover fees for individual farmers markets to join.
How have you been affected by the coronavirus? Let us know by emailing covid@cbc.ca, and include "personal story" in your subject line.
- What you need to know if you live in B.C. and suspect you have COVID-19
- What we know (and don't know) about the coronavirus outbreak
- Information from the B.C. Centre for Disease Control
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 3:30 a.m. PT on Friday, Canada had a total of 4,043 confirmed and presumptive cases, with 39 deaths. To date, provinces have listed 228 cases as recovered or resolved. (Not all provinces are listing that information.)
For a look at what's happening in other provinces and the territories, check the CBC interactive case tracker.
Travellers returning to Canada from abroad are now facing a new, mandatory order to self-isolate for 14 days.
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. Do not visit an emergency room or urgent care centre to get tested.
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.
- Unless you're already infected, masks won't help you.
- Be aware of evolving travel advisories to different regions.
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.
With files from The Canadian Press