What you need to know about COVID-19 in B.C. on May 4, 2020

THE LATEST:

• 53 new cases were diagnosed in the past two days.
• A total of 2,224 COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in B.C. so far.
• 117 people have died.
• 77 COVID-19 patients are in hospital, including 20 in intensive care.
• 1,417 people have recovered.
• The outbreak at the Mission Federal Institution has grown to 121 inmates and 13 staff.

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced 53 more people have been diagnosed with COVID-19 in the past 48 hours, and three more have died.

That brings the overall number of confirmed cases in B.C. to 2,224 and the death toll to 117.

Henry also released new modelling for COVID-19 on Monday, as the province prepares to begin reopening the economy. 

The data showed that more women than men have been diagnosed with the virus. However, more men than women have required critical care.

The 50-59 age group has the highest number of confirmed cases but the majority of deaths are elderly people over 70.

The provincial government is expected to outline its plan to relax the rules put in place to combat COVID-19 this week. CBC News has learned there are three key takeaways.

First, nothing will "reopen" this week.

Second, the changes won't take effect until the middle of May.

Third, the government won't be releasing a lengthy list of which stores should open. Instead, there will be guidelines for industries that have voluntarily shut down since March.

Overall, the focus will be on giving the public broad rules for how it can safely practise a "new normal" until a vaccine for COVID-19 is found.  

• Read more about B.C.'s plans to relax the rules here

TransLink buses no longer free as of June 1  

TransLink on Monday announced it will begin charging bus fares again and allowing front-door boarding on June 1. Buses have been free and running on a rear-boarding only model since March 20.

The transit authority said it is installing temporary plexiglass shields on conventional buses to shield drivers from passengers boarding through the front door. Vinyl barriers will be installed on the remainder of the fleet.

"We've managed to find an innovative solution which ensures the safety of our bus operators, while also allowing for safe fare collection," TransLink CEO Kevin Desmond wrote in a statement.

The authority expects to collect $2 million per month in revenue after bringing fares back. TransLink previously said it was losing $75 million every month due to the pandemic, leading to nearly 1,500 layoffs and widespread cuts to most modes of public transportation in Metro Vancouver in late April.

Breakdown of latest numbers

Broken down by health authority, there are 845 cases in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, 1027 in Fraser Health, 124 in Vancouver Island Health, 177 in Interior Health and 51 in Northern Health.

Henry said the number of long-term care and acute care facilities with outbreaks remained steady at 23.

The outbreak at the Mission Federal Institution continues to grow, now affecting 121 inmates and 13 staff members. 

Of the three Lower Mainland poultry processing plant with outbreaks, Superior Poultry remains the largest with 54 cases. United Poultry has 34 and Fraser Valley Specialty Poultry seven confirmed cases. 

• 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

• A justice advocacy group says it wants prisoners at a federal institution in British Columbia ravaged by a COVID-19 outbreak to know there are people in the community fighting for their safety.
• B.C. teachers have been moonlighting as filmmakers to connect with students using technology and humour.
• 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?
• WATCH: How to take care of your hair during the pandemic.

What's happening elsewhere in Canada

As of 4:30 a.m. PT, Canada has recorded 59,474 presumptive and confirmed coronavirus cases. Provinces and territories listed 24,921 cases as recovered or resolved. A tally maintained by CBC News based on provincial health data, regional health information and CBC's reporting lists 3,774 coronavirus-related deaths in Canada, with two known COVID-19-linked deaths of Canadians 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.

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