Saturday BC COVID-19 update notes that Northern Health region has recorded its first two residents for the Provincial Coronavirus patient count

Public Health Officer, Doctor Bonnie Henry providing for Saturday's
provincial update on COVID-19

Two residents from an undisclosed community in the Northern Health region have been added to the provincial list of those who have contracted COVID-19, their listing a transfer from a file previously counted in the Lower mainland advisories previously this week.

They were travelling outside of the country and the virus was identified through Coastal Health upon their return; under a strict protocol they drove themselves home and are now self-isolating in their home community.

More background on the two northern cases, as well as to make note of some of the preparations in the North, including their work with Indigenous Health Authorities were explored during the course of the press conference

"Northern Health has been working with all of the communities around what is needed, access to testing is something that is important and again making sure that it's available in the communities when it's needed"-- Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry

The questions and answers on themes of the North and the remainder of the update can be reviewed from the province's video archive.




As part of the Saturday statement Health Minister Adrian Dix and Public Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry provided details of the increase of the provincial numbers by nine.

That increase brings the British Columbia total to 73 as of this afternoon, the majority of the new cases related to an outbreak at the Lynn Valley Care Centre in North Vancouver.

“We are announcing nine new cases of COVID-19, for a total of 73 cases in British Columbia. The individuals are in the Vancouver Coastal, Fraser and Interior health regions, and were confirmed positive based on BC Centre for Disease Control testing.

Five cases are connected to a cluster at the Lynn Valley Care Centre, one case is linked to travel from Portugal and the remaining three cases are under investigation.

Public health teams continue to be on site at both the Lynn Valley Care Centre and the Hollyburn House Retirement Residence, working to contain potential transmission to other residents and workers."

The province also outlined the scope of their testing strategy to this point, wth plans to introduce testing stations around the province, with locations to be announced by Local Health Authorities.

Also included was some advice as to who will require testing at this point.

"We are adapting our testing strategy to respond to the situation here in B.C. to ensure all who get sick can get the testing they need.

We would like to be clear that testing is available for all who need it, but not everyone requires a test. If you have no symptoms, mild symptoms, or are a returning traveller and isolating at home, you do not require a test.

We are continuing to test those who are part of an active investigation or outbreak cluster, those with severe illness who are hospitalized, residents of long-term care facilities and health-care workers..

If you have questions about self-isolating, caring for yourself and your family, and whether you may require a test, the BCCDC website continues to be an important first point for the latest information"

The province also took note of the current increase in what appears to be panic buying, noting that the supply chains remain in place and working as usual.

“We ask all British Columbians to be measured in their purchase of groceries and other basic necessities. Our retail supply-chain providers have assured us they have an abundance of supply and are restocking regularly. There is no need to stockpile."

Premier Horgan addresses some of the hoarding and re-selling for profit that is taking place on Friday, making note of his disappointment in the practice.


Of the 73 cases reported in British Columbia to date, the majority are in the Vancouver Coastal Health region and that of Fraser Health, one case has been recorded on Vancouver Island one in the Interior Health region and now two transferred to Northern Health.

In total, Canada had 197 cases of the virus reported as of March 13th, the new numbers for British Columbia will increase the national number over the 200 patient mark now.

As Dr. Henry noted the BC Centre for Disease control has some valuable Coronavirus notes related to COVID-19 you can explore that information here.

You can learn more about the outbreak from both the Province and the Federal government from the links below:

Federal Government site

British Columbia Government site

The World Health Organization website also offers up the latest advisories on the global situation.

Information from Northern Health can be accessed here.

You can review our archive of past statements and local information here.

Local governments and organizations have also provided for increased awareness of COVID-19 issues, the string of statements that came quickly at the end of the week can be reviewed here.

For notes from across Canada and British Columbia we have been archiving the latest items through our political portal Darcy McGee

Ottawa Observations

Victoria Viewpoints

For items of interest from Northern Health see our archive page here.