Friday COVID report notes of but 10 new cases for the day; highlights findings from First Nations Health Authority report

Doctor Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix brought this week to a close with a Friday afternoon update on COVID that again relayed a continued low number of reported cases, as well as to highlight the findings of earlier in the day of a report on the COVID response in Indigenous communities across BC.

For the provincial numbers, 10 new cases of COVID-19 were announced on Friday, for a total of 2,878 cases in British Columbia. This total includes a data correction of one case from yesterday’s report.

There are 159 active cases of COVID-19 in the province and 2,545 people who tested positive have recovered. Of the total COVID-19 cases, 17 individuals are hospitalized, five of whom are in intensive care. The remaining people with COVID-19 are recovering at home in self-isolation.

Across British Columbia there have been 969 cases of COVID-19 in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, 1,514 in the Fraser Health region, 131 in the Island Health region, 199 in the Interior Health region and 65 in the Northern Health region, that has been a constant number now for over two weeks.

While the case counts continue to remain low, there was one more passing to record today.

 “There has been one new COVID-19 related death in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, for a total of 174 deaths in British Columbia. We offer our condolences to everyone who has lost their loved ones during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Today's provincial update also called attention to a report from earlier in the day that reviewed the impact of COVID on Indigenous people, saluting the commitment by community and health leaders to address the concerns of the people of First Nations communities across the province.

“This morning, the First Nations Health Authority shared the latest data on COVID-19 among First Nations people in B.C., with 87 First Nations individuals having tested positive for COVID-19 through June 14, 2020. 

The low impact of COVID-19 on Indigenous peoples in B.C. that we have seen so far is a result of ongoing collaboration and an unwavering commitment by community and health leaders to put appropriate measures in place to protect communities. 

The enhanced measures and additional support that are now in place, especially for rural and remote communities, will help to keep everyone safe until an effective treatment or vaccine is available. 

While we are encouraged by this outcome, we recognize that the result has come with hardship. The need to put aside important cultural gatherings to maintain a safe physical distance and to limit visitors has had a great social, mental and economic impact on many. It also reminds us of the resilience that First Nations communities continue to display in the face of hardships. 

Like all of us, communities need to assess the risks and do what is right for them. A slow and cautious approach has allowed us to flatten the curve and will keep us safe in the months ahead. 

You can learn more about the First Nations COVID report here.




The full Provincial COVID report for Thursday can be reviewed 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

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