What you need to know about COVID-19 in B.C. for June 9, 2020
Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry reports 10 new cases, no new deaths Tuesday
THE LATEST:
- There are 2,669 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in B.C. as of Tuesday.
- 183 cases are still active.
- 167 people have died.
- 16 people are in hospital, including four in intensive care.
- 2,319 people have recovered.
Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced Tuesday the detection of 10 new cases of COVID-19 in B.C.
Nine of the new cases were test-positive and the tenth was epidemiologically linked to previous patients.
Henry announced no new deaths Tuesday — the fourth day in a row with no deaths.
As of Monday afternoon, there are 183 active cases of COVID-19 in B.C., out of 2,669 cases confirmed to date. A total of 167 people have died of the novel coronavirus, while 2,319 have recovered.
There are currently 16 people in hospital with the disease, four of whom are in intensive care.
While there have been no deaths in recent days, officials are reminding the public to be cautious and stick to public health advice.
On Monday, Health Minister Adrian Dix said he's not quite yet ready to give an exact date for the next phase of reopening the province, pointing out that neighbouring U.S. states have been seeing major increases in infection.
"We are still seeing cases. We are moving slowly," Dix said.
Don't flush masks, gloves
Canadians are reminded not to flush medical gear as waste facilities deal with a sewage treatment nightmare. Old face masks, rubber gloves and wet wipes are not biodegradable and end up matted in a putrid, grey chunk of waste after being flushed down the toilet.
Companies and municipalities say they've seen an increase in the problem in recent weeks — despite public messaging — and warn that taxpayers will foot the bill to fix clogged sewer and solid waste systems.
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
- Canadians separated from family members in the U.S. because of restrictions around the border will soon have some respite, but some are frustrated over the mandatory 14-day quarantine.
- Here's how members of the Class of 2020 are celebrating their graduation during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- The Chinese community's early efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19 in B.C. appear to have paid off, despite some of its members being stigmatized because of the virus, say infectious disease doctors.
- Tourism-reliant communities in the B.C. Interior are appealing for calm after vehicles with Alberta plates were allegedly vandalized, left with nasty notes or the drivers were aggressively confronted and told to go home.
- Nearly one-third of elementary and secondary school students in British Columbia returned to classrooms last week.
- BC Ferries said passengers will be required to travel with a face mask on most routes starting June 15.
- After weeks of debate, Vancouver politicians could soon decide whether to allow drinking in public parks.
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 4:30 a.m. PT on Tuesday, there were 96,244 confirmed and presumptive coronavirus cases in Canada, with 54,833 considered recovered or resolved. A CBC News tally of deaths based on provincial data, regional health information and CBC's reporting stood at 7,893.
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