VICTORIA – The COVID-19 situation in British Columbia is continually evolving and the information below is current as of 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 9, 2020.

Cases:

• Total confirmed cases in B.C.: 1370
• New cases since April 8, 2020: 34
• Hospitalized cases: 132
• Intensive care: 68
• COVID-19 related deaths: 50
• Recovered: 858
• Long-term care and assisted-living homes currently affected: 20

Confirmed cases by region:

• Vancouver Coastal Health: 626
• Fraser Health: 508
• Island Health: 82
• Interior Health: 130
• Northern Health: 24

New provincial advice and measures:

• NEW: Dr. Bonnie Henry, provincial health officer, has issued the following order:

 “Using orders under the Public Health and Emergency Programs Acts, the government has implemented a process to support workers to work at a single facility.  This includes development of a new labour agreement that ensures all workers – at health authority, non-profit and private facilities – receive an equitable wage and work-hours scheduling stability so they can work at a single site without resident service disruption.”

• NEW: Teachers find new, fun ways to connect with students during COVID-19 pandemic: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020EDUC0028-000672
• NEW: Applications open for temporary rental supplement: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020MAH0050-000669
• NEW: Stay safe by staying home over the long weekend: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020PSSG0019-000671
• NEW: New virtual mental health supports for COVID-19 on the way: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020MMHA0009-000655
• NEW: Carole James, Minister of Finance, has issued statement on the release of Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey for March 2020: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020FIN0019-000666
• NEW: Joint statement by the Ministers of Health for British Columbia and Alberta: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020HLTH0127-000665
• NEW: Expect traffic disruptions on Highway 7 during long weekend: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020TRAN0055-000658
• NEW: Work has resumed on the Highway 1 Illecillewaet four-laning project with enhanced safety precautions in place for workers to minimize the potential spread of COVID-19: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020TRAN0054-000654
• NEW: Provincial Health Services Authority release on COVID-19 Testing Guidelines for British Columbia: http://www.bccdc.ca/resource-gallery/Documents/Statistics%20and%20Research/Statistics%20and%20Reports/Epid/Influenza%20and%20Respiratory/ERV/BCCDC_PHL_Updated_nCoV_Lab_Guidance.pdf
• Office of the Provincial Health Officer COVID-19 Ethical Decision-Making Framework:
  https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/health/about-bc-s-health-care-system/office-of-the-provincial-health-officer/covid-19/ethics_framework_for_covid_march_28_2020.pdf
• Latest COVID-19 updates and statements: https://news.gov.bc.ca/Search?q=COVID-19
• Critical care and acute care hospitalization modelling information: https://news.gov.bc.ca/files/COVID19_Technical_Briefing_Condensed.pdf

New travel/federal measures:

• NEW: Statement from the Chief Public Health Officer of Canada on the release of national modelling on the COVID-19 epidemic in Canada:
  https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/news/2020/04/statement-from-the-chief-public-health-officer-of-canada-on-the-release-of-national-modelling-on-the-covid-19-epidemic-in-canada.html
• NEW: COVID-19 in Canada: Using data and modelling to inform public health action:
  https://www.canada.ca/content/dam/phac-aspc/documents/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/using-data-modelling-inform-eng.pdf
• NEW: Lockdown at Mission Institution, B.C. – Medium Security Unit:
  https://www.canada.ca/en/correctional-service/news/2020/04/lockdown-at-mission-institution--medium-security-unit.html
• NEW: CRTC update on its proceedings further to COVID-19 pandemic:
  https://www.canada.ca/en/radio-television-telecommunications/news/2020/04/crtc-update-on-its-proceedings-further-to-covid-19-pandemic.html
• For Government of Canada COVID-19 travel advice:
  https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/latest-travel-health-advice.html

Media availability schedule:

Upcoming scheduled media availabilities with Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, and Henry will be held:
Friday, April 10 – 3 p.m. Statement only to be issued
Saturday, April 11 – 12 p.m., Victoria (Dr. Bonnie Henry only)

Resources:

• For provincial support and COVID-19 information: www.gov.bc.ca/covid
• For seniors looking for additional support at this time, call 211 or visit: http://www.bc211.ca/
• For information for Indigenous peoples in B.C., visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/indigenous-people/covid19
• If you or a family member need additional medical advice, call 811.

Testing:

• 52,412 individuals have been tested as of April 8, 2020.
• If symptoms appear, check your symptoms online: https://covid19.thrive.health
  • If needed, call your health-care provider or 811 for further guidance.

Learn More:

For the latest videos and livestreaming of COVID-19 media availabilities:
on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BCProvincialGovernment/
on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/ProvinceofBC
on Twitter: https://twitter.com/BCGovNews

For the latest medical updates, including case counts, prevention, risks and testing, visit: http://www.bccdc.ca/
Or follow @CDCofBC on Twitter.

For the provincial health officer's orders, notices and guidance, visit: www.gov.bc.ca/phoguidance

For non-health related information, including financial, child care and education supports, travel, transportation and essential service information, visit: www.gov.bc.ca/Covid-19
Or call 1 888 COVID19 (1 888 268-4319) between 7:30 a.m. and 8 p.m., seven days a week.

For recommendations on protecting yourself and your community, including for employers and businesses, visit:
http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/coronavirus-(novel)

For common questions about COVID-19 and terminology, visit:
http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/common-questions

Worker and employer information:

For workers and employers who need help understanding the law and their rights, have workplace heath and safety questions or who need help with claims:

Employment Standards Branch: 1 833 236-3700

For health and safety assistance: 1 888 621-7233 (1 888 621-SAFE)

For workers and claims: 1 888 967-5377 (1 888 WOR-KERS)