What you need to know about COVID-19 in B.C. on May 3, 2020

THE LATEST:

• The province does not provide a COVID-19 health update on Sundays. The next update is set for Monday at 3 p.m.
• Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced 26 new cases on Saturday.
• A total of 2,171 COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in B.C. as of Saturday afternoon.
• 114 people have died.
• 72 COVID-19 patients are in hospital, including 23 in intensive care.
• 1,376 people have recovered.

B.C. Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced 26 new coronavirus cases in the province on Saturday, bringing the current total to 2,171.

Of the cases, there are now 832 in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, 992 in Fraser Health, 123 in Vancouver Island Health, 175 in Interior Health, and 49 in Northern Health.

Two more people have died of COVID-19, bringing the total number of deaths in the province to 114. There are currently 72 people in hospital, and 23 people in intensive care.

Henry said there is one new community outbreak, at Fraser Valley Specialty Poultry, where there are now three confirmed cases. There remain 52 cases associated with an outbreak at Superior Poultry, and 35 cases associated with an outbreak at United Poultry.

• 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

• Front-line workers on Vancouver's Downtown Eastside say a staffing shortage is putting them and the disadvantaged residents they serve at risk of a COVID-19 outbreak. 
• The wait for COVID-19 test results in many northern B.C. communities has become much shorter now that tests are being sent to labs in the Lower Mainland by air, rather than road transport. 
• City planners in Vancouver are pondering whether some streets could remained closed to cars once the pandemic lifts to benefit the economy.
• The 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games have been postponed, but these B.C. athletes are still keeping up with their training.
• WATCH: UBC forestry professor Susan Day explains how to build the best patch of soil for your victory garden.
• What should you do about not getting routine procedures done such as an eye exam, a cavity filled or even Botox injections?
• From virtual choir practices to homemade music videos, educators are going above and beyond to reach out and let their students know they are missed and supported.
• Local theatre companies in Victoria are relying on private donations from supporters to keep staff on payroll and work towards new productions for their eventual relaunch.
• WATCH: How to take care of your hair during the pandemic.

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 Saturday evening, Canada had 56,714 confirmed COVID-19 cases. A CBC News tally of coronavirus-related deaths, which is based on provincial data, local public health information and CBC reporting, put the death toll at 3,656 in Canada, plus two deaths 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.

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.
• Masks won't fully protect you from infection, but can help prevent you from infecting others.

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