Five new COVID-19 cases have been announced in the Island Health region, for a total of 102. (Government of British Columbia)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

COVID-19 update

Key COVID-19 trends continue in right direction, new outbreak linked to Alberta work site

Apr 20, 2020 | 3:37 PM

NANAIMO — The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases jumped modestly Monday, but the amount of active cases and hospitalizations continues to fall.

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced 52 new COVID-19 cases since Saturday, including five in the Island Health region for a total of 102.

Five new deaths province-wide over the past two days for a total of 86 was also announced by Dr. Henry.

Key trending data of the number of hospitalizations at 104 and 49 patients in critical care or intensive care dropped by 11 and five respectively.

In total, 1,699 COVID-19 cases have been diagnosed so far in British Columbia. 574 cases are considered active, down from 579 released in Saturday’s figures.

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Dr. Henry announced self-isolation orders for anybody who returned from an industrial work site in Kearl Lake, AB linked to seven COVID-19 cases in B.C.

“We know from our colleagues in Alberta that an ongoing outbreak investigation is happening in that community, and there’s concerns about people who may have travelled to other provinces as well as here to British Columbia.”

The self-isolation directive relates to anybody who returned from the work site since March 15.

Dr. Henry said their COVID-19 testing strategy is being broadened to include anybody showing symptoms of cough, fever and shortness of breath.

“Or if you’ve had contact with somebody you know has COVID-19 or has been associated with one of the outbreaks that we know.”

The number of cases linked to the Mission Institution federal prison increased to 75, including 64 inmates.

Dr. Henry said 20 outbreaks are associated with long-term care facilities in the province, representing 307 cases.

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