What you need to know about COVID-19 in B.C. on May 12, 2020
CBC News | Posted: May 12, 2020 12:55 PM | Last Updated: May 13, 2020
7 new cases of COVID-19 reported Tuesday, and 1 death
THE LATEST:
- British Columbia has recorded a total of 2,360 COVID-19 cases.
- 131 people have died from COVID-19 in the province.
- Of those who have tested positive, 1,832 people have recovered.
- Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry's next briefing is Wednesday at 3 p.m. PT.
The numbers of new confirmed cases of COVID-19 and hospitalized patients continue to fall in B.C. as the province inches toward loosening up certain restrictions.
Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said Tuesday there had been seven new cases of COVID-19 detected in B.C. in the last day. In that time, one more person has died.
There are now 63 COVID-19 patients in hospital; 16 of them are in intensive care.
There have been 2,360 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the province to date. So far, 131 people have died and 1,832 people have recovered from the illness.
'Stay apart, stay local, stay safe'
During a record-breaking warm weekend, social media was awash with British Columbians concerned not everyone was following the rules of physical distancing.
But on Monday, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said she was largely satisfied with how most people conducted themselves.
"I had the pleasure of getting outside a few times myself this weekend and I did see lots of people," Henry said.
"The vast majority of them were in small groups, sitting apart ... The vast majority of people are doing the right thing and taking this to heart."
WATCH | Dr. Bonnie Henry explains why she believes the province's "positive" approach to physical distancing is working:
However, with a long weekend approaching, both Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix are encouraging people to stay close to home and avoid unnecessary travel.
"Stay apart, stay local, stay safe," Dix said. "We can't let up."
As the province moves closer to its first phase of reopening, Harbour Air announced Tuesday it has resumed daily flights between Vancouver, Victoria, Nanaimo, Sechelt and Salt Spring Island. The company suspended flights in early April.A
statement said vigilant cleaning and physical distancing protocols are in place for flights going forward, including a requirement for passengers to wear masks and gloves while inside the terminal and on board planes.
Fort St. John School District 60, meanwhile, has decided to reopen its school playgrounds.
In a Facebook post announcing its plan, the district asked the community to follow recommendations made by Dr. Bonnie Henry.
Playground equipment will not undergo any sort of cleaning regimen and will be used at the public's own risk.
School District 60 is comprised of 22 schools spread across the communities of Fort St. John, Taylor, Charlie Lake and Baldonnel.
READ MORE: How B.C. plans to ease COVID-19 restrictions
- 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 prominent Chinese-Canadian activist says she is shocked, disappointed and angry about an Instagram post from Canadian singer Bryan Adams' official account that she says is racist.
- A group of dancers, performers and artists gathered in an act of solidarity and healing after an increase in racist attacks against those of Asian descent in the city.
- B.C. health officials are adamant the Canada-U.S. border should not reopen to visitors anytime soon as the clock ticks down on the agreement currently banning non-essential travel set to expire May 21.
- Fraser Health says the majority of surgical patients needing pre-admission assessments will now be able to do them by video conference, lowering the risk for coronavirus exposure.
- Despite 1,880 warnings issued by Vancouver park rangers over the weekend, Henry said, by and large, British Columbians are getting the message about physical distancing.
- A man who breached a permanent ban from B.C.'s securities regulator by suckering friends out of their money has been given probation instead of a jail sentence because of the threat of COVID-19 behind bars.
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 7:30 a.m. PT, provinces and territories reported a total of 70,342 cases, with 33,267 listed as recovered or resolved. A CBC News tally of coroanvirus-related deaths based on provincial data, regional health information and CBC's reporting stood at 5,100.
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.
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