Two more people die in B.C. from COVID-19 as province records 67 new cases
Posted March 27, 2020 4:14 pm.
Last Updated March 27, 2020 4:45 pm.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — Two more people have died from COVID-19 in B.C., provincial health officials announced Friday.
Sixteen people have now died from the novel coronavirus in the province.
“We are saddened to report two more deaths as a result of COVID-19 in the Vancouver Coastal health region. Our condolences to their loved ones during this difficult time,” reads a release from Dr. Bonnie Henry and Minister Adrian Dix.
The province recorded has 67 new cases, bringing the total up to 792.
275 people have now recovered and are no longer required to self-isolate, while 73 are in hospital.
“We are tracking the epidemic curve closely here in B.C. We are also monitoring outbreaks in other nations to guide our health system preparations and public health response,” the release says.
“In the past few days, our upward path has been less severe than other places, but we continue to see steady increases in community transmission cases and continue to be concerned about outbreaks, which could quickly grow and challenge our pandemic response.”
Health officials are warning against gatherings of any size, at any time and encouraging people to stay connected online.
“We strongly discourage any in-person gathering of any size at this time”
earlier today we heard from @adriandix and PHO Dr Henry the trajectory of cases here has bent somewhat additional deaths today a reminder we are still in the danger zone. #bcpoli #covid19 @NEWS1130 pic.twitter.com/YLcGLLMft0— LizaYuzda (@LizaYuzda) March 27, 2020
The latest numbers came with a new public health order, banning vendors who do not sell food from setting up stands at markets.
The province says many local farmers and food-sellers have moved online, but markets that remain in operation must limit the number of people selling goods.
“All occasional/recurring/weekly events where food and other merchandise is sold (e.g., markets, street markets, night markets, Saturday markets or community markets) must only allow vendors that sell food to be at these events. Vendors of non-food items and all other merchandise are prohibited to sell at these events,” the release says.
