The COVID-19 situation in British Columbia is continually evolving. The information below is current as of 3 p.m. on March 19, 2020.
Cases:
� Total confirmed cases in B.C.: 271
� New cases since March 18, 2020: 40
� Hospitalized cases: 17
� Intensive care: 9
� Deaths: 8
� Recovered: 5
Confirmed cases by region:
� Vancouver Coastal Health: 152
� Fraser Health: 81
� Island Health: 22
� Interior Health: 12
� Northern Health: 4
Testing
� At least 17,000 British Columbians have been tested.
� At least 50,000 Canadians have been tested.
� Testing is available for all who need it, but not everyone requires a test.
If you have no symptoms, mild symptoms or you are a returning traveler self isolating at home, you do not require a test.
For each of these situations, the public health advice remains the same, regardless of test results: self-isolate for 14 days to monitor for the development of symptoms or until your symptoms are completely gone.
� Those who have severe illness, require hospitalization, are residents of long-term care facilities or are health-care workers will continue to be tested.
Anyone part of an active investigation or outbreak cluster will be tested so they can be appropriately monitored.
� If symptoms appear, call your health-care provider or 811 for guidance.
Provincial advice and measures Ministry of Health Emergency Management BC
COVID-19 Joint Information Centre
� NEW: Dr. Bonnie Henry, provincial health officer, clarifies direction on social distancing relating to going outside:
ƕ It is safe to go outside to get fresh air, walk pets, ride a bike and exercise while maintaining safe social distances.
� NEW: The B.C. government is waiving the Medical Services Plan (MSP) coverage wait period for people moving back to B.C. from COVID-19 impacted areas. In addition, the
B.C. government is planning to provide health coverage to British Columbians who are out of province and unable to
return: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/…/health-drug-covera…/msp/bcresidents
� NEW: Rear door, fare-free boarding on all BC Transit, TransLink buses:
https://www.bctransit.com/victoria/news?nid=1529708533639
https://buzzer.translink.ca/
� NEW: Resource for managing COIVD-19 related stress, anxiety and depression:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/…/covid19_stressmanagement_5_accessi…
� NEW: WorkSafeBC resources available for employers and workers:
https://www.worksafebc.com/en/about-us/covid-19-updates
� NEW: BC Housing temporary eviction moratorium and rent-adjustment notification:
https://www.bchousing.org/…/Covid-19-Bulletin-for-Housing-P…
� A provincial state of emergency has been declared: https://news.gov.bc.ca/21826
� A new website has been launched for non-health related information and services:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/…/emerge…/covid-19-provincial-support
� BC Ferries is reducing food and retail services to minimal levels on board ships and at our
terminals effective March 18, 2020:
https://www.bcferries.com/about/media_room/newsreleases.html
� Henry has reminded employers that they must excuse workers for sickness without requiring a doctor͛s note.
� Henry has issued an order providing criteria for exempting essential service workers from self-isolation protocols:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/…/office-ofthe…/current-health-topics
� There are no plans to close BC Liquor Stores. On the advice of the provincial health officer, cash transactions are acceptable during this pandemic.
� Henry has issued a class order addressing mass gatherings:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/…/office-ofthe…/current-health-topics
� A public health emergency has been declared.
� The B.C. government is suspending K-12 learning in all classrooms. A decision on when and how to return will be made in partnership with school districts and independent
schools.
� Businesses with liquor primary licenses (bars, pubs, night clubs, etc.) are ordered to close.
� Restaurants and cafes that cannot maintain social distancing of one to two metres between patrons must move to take-out and delivery models.
� An online self-assessment tool to help to determine further assessment needs or testing related to COVID available online: www.bccdc.ca
� Henry has issued the following order for travellers:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/…/office-ofthe…/current-health-topics
� The B.C. government will make changes to the Employment Standards Act to protect workers and prevent layoffs.
� BC Ferries will allow customers to remain in their vehicles on the enclosed car deck.
� On March 16, Henry announced new measures related to mass gatherings:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/…/covid-19-pho-class-order-massgathe…
� Measures related to hospital operations, long-term care facilities, casinos and gatherings
over 50 people have been announced:
https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020HLTH0086-000499
� There is no need to stockpile. Be measured and show moderation when purchasing food
and household goods. There is no shortage of goods in Canada.
Public health emergency
� Under a provincial health emergency, a provincial health officer among other emergency powers, may:
do orally what must otherwise be done in writing; serve an order in any manner; act in a shorter or longer time period than is otherwise required; and compel any peace officer to enforce an order.
Travel
� Provincial health officer’s order for travellers:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/…/office-ofthe…/current-health-topics
� On March 17, 2020, the federal government announced new measures relating to travel,
including:
closure of the Canada-U.S. border to all non-essential traffic, likely coming into effect by the weekend.
� On March 16, 2020, the federal government announced new measures relating to travel, including: banning entry of all foreign nationals by air travel from all countries; consolidating international inbound flights to four major hubs only, including Vancouver International Airport (YVR); preventing symptomatic passengers from boarding a plane to Canada; strengthening in-flight medical procedures and medical screening immediately upon landing, with enhanced cleaning and disinfection at airports; support for impacted Canadians abroad; and 14-day self-isolation for all arrivals except for essential work.
� Global Affairs Canada has set up an emergency loan program for people abroad attempting to return to Canada.
� Public health officials require anyone arriving in B.C. from a foreign country to self-isolate for 14 days, staying away from work or school. Guidance for self-isolation is available on
COVID-19 Joint Information Centre Media Relations
embc.covid19jic@gov.bc.ca 236 478-1336
Contact: the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) website:
http://www.bccdc.ca/…/diseases-c…/covid-19/testing-isolation
� Cruise ship season is delayed until July 1, 2020 (vessels with more than 500 people).
Media availability schedule
Upcoming scheduled media avail-abilities with Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, and Henry will be held:
Friday, March 20, 2020ʹ3 p.m., Vancouver
Saturday, March 21, 2020ʹ3 p.m., Vancouver
Resources.
� Help flatten the curve by checking symptoms online: https://covid19.thrive.health/
� If you or a family member have symptoms or need medical advice, call 811.
� For the most up-to-date health information on the #COVID19 outbreak follow the BCCDC on Twitter at @CDCofBC or visit: www.bccdc.ca
� For up-to-date non-health information, including the latest travel restrictions and provincial and federal programs, call 1 888 COVID-19 or visit: gov.bc.ca/covid19
� Latest COVID-19 updates and statements: https://news.gov.bc.ca/Search?q=COVID-19
� Latest orders and directives from the provincial health officer can be found online:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/…/office-ofthe…/current-health-topics
Learn More:
For non-medical information relating to COVID-19, call: 1 888 COVID-19
For recommendations on protecting yourself and your community, including for employers, businesses, schools and those planning events of less than 50 people, visit:
http://www.bccdc.ca/…/diseases-conditio…/coronavirus-(novel)
For common questions about COVID-19 and terminology, visit:
http://www.bccdc.ca/…/diseases-co…/covid-19/common-questions
For the COVID-19 pandemic preparedness and planning materials, visit:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/…/current-health-…/pandemic-influenza
For more information and latest updates on COVID-19, follow the BCCDC on Twitter @CDCofBC
or visit: http://www.bccdc.ca/
Connect with the Province of B.C. at: news.gov.bc.ca/connect
