VICTORIA – Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.’s provincial health officer, and Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, have issued the following joint statement regarding updates on the COVID-19 response in British Columbia:

“Today, we are reporting 250 new cases, including one epi-linked case, for a total of 142,886 cases in British Columbia.

“There are 3,580 active cases of COVID-19 in the province, and a further 137,517 people who tested positive have recovered.

“Of the active cases, 296 individuals are currently hospitalized with COVID-19, 97 of whom are in intensive care. The remaining people with COVID-19 are recovering at home in self-isolation.

“Since we last reported, we have had 84 new cases of COVID-19 in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, 109 new cases in the Fraser Health region, nine in the Island Health region, 40 in the Interior Health region, eight in the Northern Health region and no new cases of people who reside outside of Canada.

“There have been three new COVID-19 related deaths, for a total of 1,683 deaths in British Columbia. Our condolences are with the family, friends and caregivers of the people who have died as a result of COVID-19.

“2,979,951 doses of Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in B.C., 152,010 of which are second doses.

“BC's Restart plan provides a clear path for our future; one that will allow us to move forward and safely resume activities that have been on hold, without compromising the progress we have made in reducing COVID-19 community transmission.

“We are now in Step 1 of the plan and are closely monitoring our progress to ensure we stay on track.

“As immunization is the foundation of our approach, it’s crucial to our success that we all get registered and vaccinated.

“Equally important is that our approach be purposeful and measured when spending time with others – keeping our socializing to a small number of people, going outside as much as possible and taking extra precautions if our family and friends are higher risk.

“Every day, we’re getting closer to where we want to be, so let’s keep going with our individual and collective efforts. Together, we will restart B.C. and put COVID-19 behind us.”

Learn More:

BC’s Restart plan – to see the May 25, 2021, presentation, visit: http://news.gov.bc.ca/files/BCRestartPlan.pdf

The latest vaccine information:

Register for your vaccine now: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/covid-19/vaccine/register or call 1-833-838-2323.

For vaccine information, visit the BCCDC dashboard: http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/data Or: www.bccdc.ca

Provincial health officer's orders and guidance:

To see the May 20, 2021, presentation, visit: http://news.gov.bc.ca/files/20210520_PHO-Presentation.pdf

Orders: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/about-bc-s-health-care-system/office-of-the-provincial-health-officer/current-health-topics/covid-19-novel-coronavirus

Guidance on restrictions: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/covid-19-provincial-support/restrictions

The latest updates, guidance and information on COVID-19, and where to get tested:

The latest medical updates, including case counts, prevention, risks and to find a testing centre near you: http://www.bccdc.ca/
Or follow @CDCofBC on Twitter.

Mental health support:

Mental health and anxiety support: www.bouncebackbc.ca 
Or: www.anxietycanada.com
Or: http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/about-covid-19/mental-well-being-during-covid-19
Or: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/managing-your-health/mental-health-substance-use/virtual-supports-covid-19

Non-health related information:

Financial, child care and education support, travel, transportation and essential service information: www.gov.bc.ca/covid19
Or call 1 888 COVID19 (1 888 268-4319) between 7:30 a.m. and 8 p.m. (Pacific time), seven days a week.

COVID-19 exposure events, updates and information by health authority, visit:
BCCDC (flights, work sites, etc.): http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/public-exposures
Fraser Health: fraserhealth.ca/covid19exposure
Interior Health: https://news.interiorhealth.ca/news/public-exposures/
Island Health: https://www.islandhealth.ca/learn-about-health/covid-19/outbreaks-and-exposures
Northern Health: https://www.northernhealth.ca/health-topics/outbreaks-and-exposures
Vancouver Coastal Health: http://www.vch.ca/covid-19/public-exposures

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

Two backgrounders follow.

Age-based program

Anyone 12 years or older may now register and book their appointment online: https://gov.bc.ca/getvaccinated  
Or by calling 1 833 838-2323 (between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Pacific time).

First responder and worker program

Health authorities are contacting workplaces to arrange for workers to be vaccinated. This program is continuing to be phased in, focusing on communities that are at highest risk.

AstraZeneca pharmacy program

All remaining AstraZeneca vaccine is being held for dose-two booster immunizations. Participating pharmacies are listed on the BC Pharmacy Association website: https://www.bcpharmacy.ca/resource-centre/covid-19/vaccination-locations

Active outbreaks:

Vancouver Coastal Health – no facilities

Fraser Health – two facilities

• Chartwell Carlton Care (second occurrence)
• Cherington Place (second occurrence)

Northern Health – one facility

• Heritage Manor

Interior Health – one facility

• Spring Valley Care Centre

Island Health – no facilities

Acute-care facilities:

• Lions Gate Hospital
• Richmond Hospital

Historical assisted living outbreaks in Vancouver Coastal Health declared over:

• Chalmers Lodge Assisted Living
• Terraces on 7th Assisted Living