There have been 11 more deaths linked to COVID-19 in B.C. bringing the total up to 69 people who have succumbed to the virus.
Most of the province’s fatalities have been linked to outbreaks at long-term care facilities, according to Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, who announced 45 new cases since Saturday, for a total of 1,490 cases. 25 cases were reported between Saturday and Sunday, while the other 20 were detected between Sunday and Monday.
Across Interior Health there was one additional case reported Monday, for a total of 136 confirmed cases.
“The outbreak related to temporary foreign workers at a nursery in [West Kelowna], there’s been one additional positive case in that outbreak bringing the number of people that have tested positive to 20,” said Henry.
“In addition, we’ve had [just the] one case identified at the Okanagan Correctional Centre [in Oliver]. That outbreak remains under observation.”
Henry says there is ongoing testing and surveillance being done at the Okanagan Correctional Centre, with a number of negative tests up to this point.
The situation at the medium-security Mission Institution is of greater concern with now 40 cases of COVID-19 there, making it the worst prison outbreak in Canada. Five corrections officers and 35 inmates – have contracted COVID-19, with eight people now in hospital.
In total, 905 people have recovered fully from COVID-19. Dr. Henry says 137 people are in hospitals across the province, 58 of those are in ICU. The number of people in hospital is up by three since Saturday, while the number in ICU is down by five.
Across Interior Health, there are now ten people in hospital with COVID-19.
Returning Travellers
Meanwhile, Doctor Henry says almost all of the 1,700 travellers entering B.C. from out of country over the Easter weekend had plans for self isolation.
“So since April 10th, 1,701 people have returned from around the world to British Columbia, either by vehicle or by air,” Henry added. “And we have the support systems in place and have been fully activated.”
Henry says there were just 13 people who needed accommodation because they did not have a plan for self-isolation.
“They weren’t able to immediately fulfill their self-isolation plan,” Henry noted. “[As well], 207 people have been contacted to make sure they have what they need in follow-up.”
Last week, B.C. became the first province to require people returning from out of country to fill out a form, detailing their plans for self isolation.
Long Weekend Travel
After pleading for weeks that people avoid non-essential travel over the Easter Long Weekend, Health Minister Adrian Dix says while ferry terminals may have looked crowded, the numbers show traffic was far below seasonal averages.
He said BC Ferries’ major routes saw 173,000 passengers on Easter weekend in 2019, while this year, there were fewer than 15,000 people on board.
Henry added that people should not rush to judgment, as there are many essential reasons for people to travel including inter-community commutes and university students heading home after the end of the semester.
And she is also cautioning people about jumping to criticize those who spend time outdoors.
“I have seen many, many examples of people who are having a conversation with their neighbour from a safe distance, she said. “People are out with their family, with their housemates, having picnics, sitting in the sun, going for a walk — those are fine.”
While the province appears to have flattened the curve significantly, Dr. Bonnie Henry says the incubation period for the virus is up to two weeks, but that most people start to become ill within four to seven days.
– With files from Colton Davies
