Dr. Bonnie Henry, provincial health officer delivers her daily briefing on COVID-19 cases in Victoria alongside health minister Adrian Dix. (BC Government Flickr)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

DAILY BRIEFING

Lowest number of B.C. COVID-19 cases in weeks announced including two on Vancouver Island

Apr 16, 2020 | 5:58 PM

NANAIMO — The lowest increase of confirmed COVID-19 cases in weeks has been announced by the provincial government.

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry, along with health minister Adrian Dix, announced 14 new cases via press release Thursday evening.

Two new cases on Vancouver Island were confirmed for a total of 94. The provincial tally increased to 1,575.

The recovery rate continues to exceed 60 per cent with 983 patients now testing negative for the novel coronavirus.

“Of the total COVID-19 cases, 120 individuals are currently hospitalized, 56 of those are in intensive care, and the remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation,” the statement said. “Our shared efforts to flatten the curve make a difference. Each day that we hold the line, we are stronger and better for it.”

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Two new outbreaks at long-term care facilities were confirmed in the Interior and Fraser Valley regions.

Four facilities previously given the all-clear following outbreaks of coronavirus are now the site of new cases.

A total of 27 long-term or acute care facilities in British Columbia are dealing with cases of the virus.

The statement also addressed the situation involving the death of an inmate at a correctional facility in Mission. The unidentified inmate died in hospital in Abbotsford on Wednesday, April 15.

An outbreak is of high concern for B.C. officials who say there are 61 active cases of the virus at the medium-security prison.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is set to speak with provincial and territorial leaders Thursday night regarding their needs moving forward.

Of particular focus are long-term care homes, where around half of all deaths across the country have taken place.

The government is expected to follow through on a provincial effort of topping up wages of essential, front-line staff in long-term care homes to encourage them to stay on the job.

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