B.C. continues to flatten the curve of COVID-19 with 19 cases province-wide announced on Wednesday, June 18. (BC Government Flickr)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

DAILY UPDATE

Vancouver Island still COVID-free as province deals with additional health care system outbreaks

Jun 17, 2020 | 3:30 PM

NANAIMO — Vancouver Island remains without an active case of the coronavirus as 19 new cases of the respiratory virus were revealed around the province.

The Island Health region remained at 130 total cases since the start of the pandemic, with 125 fully recovered and five dying as a result of the coronavirus.

Despite no new community outbreaks, provincial health officials are contending with new situations developing at Mission Memorial Hospital and an Abbotsford long-term care facility.

It was not confirmed how many patients or staff were impacted in a joint statement released by provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and health minister Adrian Dix.

Both the care home in Abbotsford and a previously announced outbreak in Langley are connected to the hospital in Mission, the statement said.

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“These recent health-care outbreaks are very concerning and clearly demonstrate that COVID-19 remains in our communities,” the statement said. “Mission Memorial is a small hospital, which means services for the local community are now limited to urgent and emergency care only.”

The province has moved into a third incubation period since restrictions were lifted for several types of businesses after the May long weekend.

Dr. Henry had previously said a potential move to phase three could come in mid-June, pending case numbers and community transmission remain at manageable levels.

No announcement on a move to phase three has been made, however Dr. Henry is due to present updated modelling data on COVID-19 on Monday, June 22.

Phase three would relax restrictions on hotels and resorts, parks including overnight camping and movie theatres.

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