25 new COVID-19 cases in B.C. but no new cases in Island Health

Posted: Apr. 30, 2020 3:10PM | Last Updated: Apr. 30, 2020 5:57PM

File photo. Mike McArthur/CBC

B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix and provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry give their daily update on COVID-19.

There are 25 new cases of COVID-19 in British Columbia but none of those are in the Island Health region, according to B.C. health officials.

On April 29, there were a total of 120 cases of COVID-19 in Island Health. The same number was reported on Thursday.

Of the Island Health, five are in hospital and none are in ICU. Ninety-two people have recovered in Island Health and there have been four deaths total.

Two more people have died from COVID-19: a senior in long-term care in Fraser Health and a person in hospital in Vancouver Coastal Health. Eighty-two people are in hospital (down from 89 on April 29) and 30 are in intensive care.

Overall, there are now 2,112 cases of COVID-19 confirmed to date: 815 in Vancouver Coastal Health, 961 in Fraser Health, 120 in Island Health, 170 in Interior Health and 46 in Northern Health.

Twelve more inmates at the Mission Institution have tested positive, for a total of 120 cases in the province. There are also 50 cases at the Superior Poultry plant in Coquitlam and 42 cases at the United Poultry in Vancouver.

And there are no new outbreaks at long-term care homes and 12 outbreaks have been declared over. There continue to be 24 active outbreaks in long term care and acute care units. Three of the outbreaks are in acutre care units.

Henry has ordered staff be restricted to working in one facility due to the high number of COVID-19 cases in long-term care.

Health Minister Adrian Dix said Thursday said the implementation of that order is still a work in progress. Of the 545 affected facilities in the province, 276 have completed plans for the order.

A total of 1,322 people have recovered from COVID-19 in the province.

As of April 30, it has been 100 days since B.C. health officials issued their first official warning of COVID-19.

“Our lives, businesses and communities have dramatically changed in the last 100 days,” Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.’s provincial health officer, said.

“What has stayed the same is the unwavering commitment in British Columbia.”

On Wednesday, Premier John Horgan said he will announce details of British Columbia’s economic reopening plan next week, which will include physical distancing measures.

Henry said the next phase of reopening will look at how people can expand their social circles, such as meeting small groups of friends outside. Large gatherings and indoor parties will not be allowed.

She added that casinos should not expect to reopen for some time.