On Saturday, March 21, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry confirmed 74 new cases of COVID-19 in B.C., bringing the provincial total of cases to date to 424.
The cases are distributed as follows:
- 230 Vancouver Coastal Health
- 126 Fraser Health
- 37 Vancouver Island
- 27 Interior region
- 4 Northern Health
Additionally, five new in hospital, for 27 overall hospitalized. To date, just six B.C. residents who tested positive are considered recovered.
There is one further death from the Lynn Valley Care Centre. The total from that facility is now nine, and the total for B.C. is 10 deaths.
Dr. Henry also ordered all "personal service" businesses closed, such as hair or nail salons and tattoo parlors.
Using data from cases in B.C., Dr. Henry explained the curve of COVID-19 infections in the province, and what that means. This is the "curve" that we are being urged to "flatten" through social distancing practices and other measures curbing intereaction between people.
Community transmissions are of peak concern at this time, in particular among health care workers. Workers are either contracting the illness in their communities and bringing it to work, or sharing the virus among each other while on the job.
Additionally, Dr. Henry shared some details about the ages of COVID-19 patients in B.C., indicating that the deaths have almost all been among elderly people, and that there are very few cases among people aged 10-19.
No one under the age of 10 has tested positive in B.C.
Dr. Henry once again emphasized the urgency for all B.C. residents to practice social distancing.
"This is our chance to alter the course of this epidemic, and we can do it. It's in our hands now," said Henry.
Health Minister Adrian Dix added that while the new measures that are in place in B.C. may seem challenging, they are also orders, and they are enforceable. These orders are our obligation to adhere to, at all levels, from schools and rec facilities to bars and restaurants.
When it comes to enforceability, Henry says that there are peace officers around the province who can be called upon to enforce orders like closures and gatherings.
One group that is finding it challenging to follow rules about gathering in groups in B.C. is young people.
"Young people feel that they are immune to this," observed Henry. However, young people do become infected. And those infections can be carried home to family members, including those who are more vulnerable, such as the elderly.
"If you're sick, stay home. That's a key responsibility that everyone has," reiterated Dix. The minister also pointed out that we are enacting these measures in B.C. alongside others all over the world.
"This is the greatest fight of our time," says Dix, noting that while our adherance to the restrictive measures has been good in B.C., it "has to be 100 per cent."
"It's our duty to stay close to home right now," said Henry.
