Another 48 cases of COVID-19 and three deaths have been confirmed in B.C. as of Monday, March 23. That’s down from 76 new cases reported two days ago, on Saturday, March 21.
That brings the total confirmed cases in B.C. to 472 and total deaths to 13.
In a press briefing Monday, March 23, public health officer Bonnie Henry said many of the new cases have been at long-term care facilities, which will be increasing restrictions on visits.
"You will not be able to see your loved one as simply and as easily as we have in the past," Henry said.
Long-term care workers will also be screened everyday when they come into work, she said.
Six long-term care facilities now have confirmed COVID-19 cases.
Lynn Valley Care Centre is the hardest hit, with 36 residents and 19 workers infected. Haro Park has 10 residents and 12 health care workers who have tested positive.
German Canadian Care home and the Deltaview Long Term Care Centre have also now reported infections.
Of the new deaths, one was a resident of the Lynn Valley Care Centre, one a resident of Haro Park, and one Fraser Valley resident who was not in a care home.
To date, 100 people have recovered. That spike over the last report was the result of a backlog of tests coming back.
B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix said the province has increased the availability of hospital beds in B.C. by 1,234 to deal with an anticipated surge in patients, bringing total availability of beds to 3,632. Critical care beds have increased by 177.
The new Summit at Quadra Village in Victoria -- a 320 residential complex for patients with dementia -- has been now designated as a hospital.
"That will mean delaying, for the moment, the move of people from existing care homes to the Summit at Quadra Village," Dix said.
Here is an update on COVID-19 cases in B.C., with previous numbers from March 21 in brackets:
Total confirmed cases in B.C.: 472 ( 424)
New cases: 48 (76)
- Hospitalized cases: 33 (27)
- Intensive care: 14 (12)
- Deaths: 13 (10)
- Recovered: 100 (6)
Cases by region:
- Vancouver Coastal Health: 248 (230)
- Fraser Health: 150 ( 126)
- Island Health: 39 (37)
- Interior Health: 30 (27)
- Northern Health: 5 ( 4)
For citizens needing to access government support and social services, like social assistance, disability, medical services plan (MSP) coverage and residential tenancy office services, Service BC offices will be open. Priority service will be given in the first opening hours to seniors and people with health issues, but they must call ahead to their local branch.
For contact information, visit Service BC's contact page.
More to come.
