What you need to know about COVID-19 in B.C. for June 6, 2020
Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry will now only provide briefings on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays
THE LATEST:
- There are 193 active cases of COVID-19 across B.C.
- As of Friday afternoon, there have been 2,632 confirmed cases of the illness.
- 167 people have died.
- 2,272 people have recovered from their illness.
- 21 people are in hospital, including five in intensive care.
The number of active cases of COVID-19 in B.C. has now dipped below 200 as the province continues to report low numbers of new cases every day.
As of Friday, there are 193 active cases of the illness in the province out of a total of 2,632 cases to date. So far, 167 people have died from infection with the novel coronavirus.
Twenty-one people are currently in hospital with COVID-19, including five receiving treatment in intensive care.
Public health teams are managing five active outbreaks in long-term care homes and eight community outbreaks.
Despite the recent decline in active cases and the slowing rate of deaths, British Columbians are being reminded to stay vigilant.
"We have to be cautious that we don't go too far and risk a resurgence in cases," Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix said.
Henry is taking a day off on Saturday from her regular briefings. The province says Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix will now only do broadcast briefings on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays of each week.
READ MORE:
- 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
- The B.C. government has quietly redeployed hundreds of its own employees to serve as de-facto quarantine officers at all of British Columbia's international border crossings.
- Police budgets are coming under increasing scrutiny during the COVID-19 cash crunch.
- A cutback in mail service is causing hardship for those who live at Woodwards Community Housing in Vancouver, according to a resident.
- Libraries across Canada are feeling grateful for a temporary reduction in costs for e-books and audio books as demand for those materials soars during the pandemic.
- The Graduating Class of COVID-19: Amid the disappointment of cancelled ceremonies and parties, students learn lessons of resilience, gratitude and community.
- From screen time to sleep schedules, parenting has always been rife with opportunities to judge. But as COVID-19 has forced families to make difficult choices, judgment has been swift and particularly harsh at times writes parenting columnist Amy Bell.
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, Canada has had 95,016 confirmed coronavirus cases. A CBC News tally of deaths based on provincial data, regional information and CBC's reporting stood at 7,796.
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 [email protected]
With files from The Canadian Press