No additional COVID-19 deaths in B.C. over weekend

VICTORIA (NEWS 1130) — The province saw no COVID-19 deaths, but 29 new cases over the past three days, while outbreaks are over at a care home in the Fraser Health region and two poultry plants.

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry also said Monday that restrictions on family visits at long-term care facilities could be lifted soon.

“That is something we are doing province-wide, and each of the health authorities is working with each facility, and the guidance is under development, as we’ve said, so we do expect that will be in place in the coming weeks,” she added.

Henry said resident and staffing levels vary and need to be considered.

“As soon as we have a way to do it safely for everybody, and I can’t give you a specific date, but it is something we have been actively working on for some time and each home needs to make arrangements for it to be done safely within their environment.”

She also announced no new outbreaks at health care facilities, leaving those at just four remaining.

The outbreak at the New Vista Society, a long-term care centre in Burnaby, is over, as are those at Superior Poultry Processors in Coquitlam and Fraser Valley Specialty Poultry in Chilliwack.

Superior Poultry had more than 60 cases of COVID-19, but reopened last month. Fraser Valley Specialty was ordered to close after a worker tested positive for the virus, but also reopened last month.

Regarding travel within the province, Henry said if case counts continue to be low, B.C. could move to ease more restrictions by the end of the current incubation period.

“If things continue the way we’re seeing, by the end of this incubation period, we should be in a good place to start
moving into the next phase,” she added.

Henry said the province is still monitoring the loosening of previous restrictions, such as those for schools, some businesses, and small-groups gatherings.

“So we need to understand the impact of those. And we are still seeing cases transmitted in our communities. So we are moving slowly.”

Henry said she supports the federal government’s announcement Monday to start relaxing the ban on non-essential crossings of the Canada-U.S. to allow some families to reunite, but the quarantine order still applies.

She also reiterated she respects people’s rights to peacefully protest, but recommends they follow the health and safety guidelines set out by the province.

With no new deaths since Friday, the total in B.C. remains at 167.

With 2,659 total cases in B.C., the recovery rate is just under 87 per cent.

Besides the 29 new cases, the province recorded one that was epidemiologically linked to those previously suspected, but not confirmed by a test.

There are 183 active cases in the province, with 16 people in hospital — five fewer than previously reported — including four in intensive care.

Cases by health region, to date: 907 in Vancouver Coastal; 1,362 in Fraser; 130 in the Vancouver Island; 95 people in Interior; 64 people in Northern.

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