What you need to know about COVID-19 in B.C. for June 22, 2020
32 more people have been diagnosed with COVID-19 since Friday, according to Monday 's provincial update
THE LATEST:
- 32 more people have been diagnosed with COVID-19 since Friday.
- One more person has died since Friday, when the last update was provided.
- B.C. has had 2,822 confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date.
- 169 people have died, 182 cases are still active.
- 14 people are in hospital, including six in intensive care.
- 2,471 people have recovered from their illness.
Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced 32 new cases of COVID-19 in B.C. and one more death on Monday.
B.C. health officials say, in total, 2,822 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in B.C. and 169 people have died. However, 2,471 people have recovered from their illness. Fourteen patients were being treated in hospital for COVID-19, including six in intensive care.
While the numbers in British Columbia continue to be encouraging, Canada passed a grim milestone on Thursday, when the number of confirmed and presumptive cases across the country surpassed 100,000.
Henry said the province must proceed with caution as it continues the gradual process of reopening, which includes the easing of restrictions on non-essential travel.
The province has announced a new round of funding for children with special needs and youth aging out of care to maintain supports through summer as the pandemic continues.
A statement said a final round of the short-term Emergency Relief Support fund for children and youth with special needs and their families will be available from July 1 to Sept. 30, offering $225 per month for up to three months for eligible families. The fund was previously set to run out on June 30.
The following supports were also extended:
- Flexible parameters around funding for children with autism: extended to Aug. 31, 2020.
- Flexible use of respite funding: extended until March 31, 2021.
- Measures to ensure young people set to age out of care keep receiving care: extended to Aug. 31, 2020.
The latter measure means youth living in foster care, contracted residential agencies or with relatives "are able to stay where they are," the Ministry of Children and Family Development said in a statement Monday.
The Vancouver Park Board announced Monday it will be opening four outdoor pools, 10 spray parks, and staffing nine Vancouver beaches with lifeguards for the summer. Visitors will need to book time slots in the pools to avoid overcrowding, the board said, and arrive in their bathing suits as change rooms will stay closed.
Vancouver's Stanley Park reopens to vehicle traffic on Monday, though cars will only be able to use one lane of the roadway instead of two, as was the case before the pandemic. The other lane is now a designated bike lane.
The Grouse Grind in North Vancouver also reopens Monday, with physical distancing precautions in place.
READ MORE:
- Your guide to financial help available for people in B.C. affected by the crisis.
- How to apply for EI and COVID-19 emergency benefits.
- Get the latest advisories, updates and cancellations for B.C.
Top COVID-19 stories today
- British Columbia's legislature will be a much different place when it returns Monday for a summer sitting.
- As of Monday at 11 a.m., it will be legal to drink alcohol in nine public spaces in the City of North Vancouver.
- The Adult Safe Hockey League is preparing to start a summer season in B.C. with major changes to the game.
- Hanna Ritthaler turned 88 on Friday, but she wasn't able to celebrate her birthday with Karl, her husband of 65 years due to the pandemic.
- Grocery store grad: the graduating high school class of 2020 on Salt Spring Island, B.C., was treated to a unique celebration to commemorate graduation.
Important reminders:
Health officials widely agree the most important thing you can do to prevent coronavirus and other illnesses is to wash your hands regularly and avoid touching your face.
The World Health Organization said more than 80 per cent of COVID-19 infections are estimated to be mild.
What's happening elsewhere in Canada
As of 10:30 a.m. PT on Monday, Canada had 101,567 confirmed and presumptive coronavirus cases, with the majority in Quebec and Ontario. Of those cases, 64,284 of the cases were listed as resolved or recovered. A CBC News tally of deaths based on provincial information, regional health data and CBC's reporting stood at 8,472.
For a look at what's happening across the country and the world, check the CBC interactive case tracker.
What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
Common symptoms include:
- Fever.
- Cough.
- Tiredness.
But more serious symptoms can develop, including difficulty breathing and pneumonia.
What should I do if I feel sick?
Stay home. Isolate yourself and call your local public health authority or 811. Do not visit an emergency room or urgent care centre to get tested.
Find information about COVID-19 from the B.C. Centre for Disease Control.
Non-medical information about COVID-19 is available in B.C. from 7:30 a.m.-8 p.m. PT, seven days a week at 1-888-COVID19 (1-888-268-4319).
What can I do to protect myself?
- Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly. Keep them clean.
- Keep at least two metres away from people who are sick.
- When outside the home, keep two metres away from other people.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
- Masks won't fully protect you from infection, but can help prevent you from infecting others.
More detailed information on the outbreak is available on the federal government's website.
If you have a COVID-19-related story we should pursue that affects British Columbians, please email us at impact@cbc.ca
With files from The Canadian Press