Wednesday, May 20, 2020

Wednesday, May 20 COVID update notes increase of case counts, reminder of ongoing survey process



From yesterdays remarkable low of but 2 cases, today brought word of a jump to 21 new cases of COVID-19, for a total of 2,467 cases in British Columbia.

Today's update from Doctor Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix noted that there were now 317 active cases of COVID-19 in the province, and 2,001 people who tested positive have recovered. Of the total COVID-19 cases, 43 individuals are hospitalized, 10 of whom are in intensive care. The remaining people with COVID-19 are recovering at home in self-isolation.

Across the province the breakdown is as follows: 885 cases in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, 1,214 in the Fraser Health region, 126 in the Island Health region, 182 in the Interior Health region and 60 in the Northern Health region, marking the third day in a row with no upward movement for the Northern region.

There were three more passings in the province as a result of the coronavirus.

“We are saddened to report three new COVID-19 related deaths: one in the Vancouver Coastal Health region and two in the Fraser Health region, for a total of 149 deaths in British Columbia. We offer our condolences to the family, friends and caregivers of these individuals, as well as to everyone who has lost their loved ones during the COVID-19 pandemic."

Dr. Henry also reviewed the British Columbia guidelines on the use of masks, that as the Federal Health Officer recommended that non surgical masks be used in a number os scenarios.

“Today, the federal government spoke to the use of non-medical masks or cloth face coverings in public settings. When it is difficult to keep a safe physical distance for an extended period of time - for example, when you are on transit - this is a good way for you to protect those around you.

We have to remember that face coverings keep our droplets in and don’t prevent transmission from others. The best ways for us to stay safe is to wash our hands, maintain a safe physical distance from others and keep our ‘rules’ for social interactions top of mind."

The two health officials also reminded British Columbians of the province wide survey process currently underway and why British Columbians should participate.


“The provincewide Your story, our future survey is an opportunity to share your personal experience with COVID-19 so far. Take a few minutes to join the 286,000 British Columbians who have already completed the survey, or help someone else to do the same. 

The information you share is incredibly important and so is ensuring your confidentiality and data security. The survey has stringent security and privacy measures built in to make sure you can provide your input with the assurance of the security we all expect and need.

Our individual circumstances are unique, but the actions we can take to protect each other and ourselves are the same. We have made great strides to flatten our curve and we must continue to work together to keep it there.”

The survey can be accessed here.


You can review the Wednesday update here.


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.

More from  Northern Health can be reviewed 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

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