B.C. extends state of emergency, reports 12 new COVID-19 cases

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VICTORIA (NEWS 1130) — B.C.’s state of emergency has been extended another two weeks as the province announces 12 new COVID-19 cases Tuesday.

One epidemiologically-link case is included, however, the province said epi-linked cases and new cases will be totalled as one number going forward.


The total of confirmed cases is now 2,990.

No deaths were reported Tuesday, a day after the province announced six people died from the virus over the weekend.

There also weren’t any new outbreaks in healthcare facilities while the one at Tabor Home has been declared over. Two long-term care homes and one acute-care home still have active outbreaks.

RELATED: VCH warns about possible COVID-19 exposure at Hotel Belmont bar, nightclub

However, one new community exposure event at the Hotel Belmont was addressed by Health Minister Adrian Dix and Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry.

“Public health teams have issued an alert for anyone who may have been at the premises on June 27 and June 29,” they said in a joint statement. “If you have been at one of these locations, monitor yourself for symptoms, limit your contact with others and contact 811 to arrange for testing if any symptoms develop.”

On Monday, Vancouver Coastal Health had warned people who may have been exposed in the bar and nightclub areas of the Hotel Belmont.

Dix and Henry remind British Columbians the more places they go and people they see, it is more likely they’ll come into contact with someone with COVID-19.

“To protect yourself, the best things you can do are to keep the number of people you see to a minimum and as much as possible, maintain a safe distance from others and use a mask when that is challenging.”

There are still 162 active cases in B.C., while 2,645 who tested positive have recovered. The recovery rate still hovers around 88 per cent.

With no new deaths, the number remains at 183.

“We offer our condolences to everyone who has lost their loved ones during the COVID-19 pandemic,” says Dix and Henry.


Meanwhile, B.C. will remain under its longest state of emergency in history, which the province says will support its pandemic response.

“We’re starting to see some restrictions lifting, but there are measures we need to keep in place to continue battling COVID-19,” said Premier John Horgan. “We will continue to take the necessary steps to make sure British Columbians are safe and that the most vulnerable people are protected, while experts work to find a treatment or vaccine.”

The state of emergency began in March and has been extended to July 21.

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