Sunday, December 21, 2025
ADVT 
National

British Columbia records 18 new cases of COVID-19, three new deaths

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 23 May, 2020 12:38 AM
  • British Columbia records 18 new cases of COVID-19, three new deaths

British Columbia recorded 18 new cases of COVID-19 Friday, bringing the province's total number of active cases to 310.

Health officials say in a statement that the new figures push the number of cases identified in the province to 2,507.

Among those, 2,042 have now recovered, or about four out of every five people.

Those with active cases of the virus are recovering at home in self-isolation, while 41 are hospitalized including eight in intensive care.

However, the death toll continues to rise and three more people have succumbed to the illness for a total of 155.

An outbreak at Lions Gate Hospital in North Vancouver that has been ongoing for a month has been declared over and no new health-care outbreaks have been identified.

British Columbia recently entered a new phase of its pandemic response with several businesses resuming or preparing to restart operations.

Health Minister Adrian Dix and provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry say this phase is about moving slowly, with patience and care.

"We are finding our new balance between protecting our health and reopening many of the businesses and activities that are important to all of us," Dix and Henry say in the joint statement.

"Phase 2 of B.C.'s restart plan is about pausing before moving forward; being thoughtful and cautious to keep everyone safe, while COVID-19 remains in our communities."

Mass gatherings remain restricted to no more than 50 people and the order has been amended to apply to drive-in events.

No more than 50 vehicles are allowed at a drive-in and there's also a restriction on the sale of refreshments.

Anyone attending such events must stay in their cars unless they have to go to the washroom, which must be serviced with running water for proper hand hygiene, the statement says.

In a separate statement, Dix and Henry say they've received an "outstanding" response to an online survey about B.C.'s response to the pandemic, with 275,000 people participating.

They urged others take part in the survey.

"There are still many questions that we need to answer and understand, including the impacts of the measures that we have taken to control COVID-19 in B.C. and flatten the curve," they say.

The survey also gauges interest in participating in further studies, including a blood test to determine immunity from COVID-19.

MORE National ARTICLES

Trump Confirms Canada-U.S. Border To Be Closed To Non-essential Travel

Trump Confirms Canada-U.S. Border To Be Closed To Non-essential Travel
The Canada-U.S. border will be closed to non-essential traffic in both directions "by mutual consent," the leaders of both countries confirmed Wednesday as efforts across the continent to contain the widening COVID-19 pandemic continued to upend daily life.    

Trump Confirms Canada-U.S. Border To Be Closed To Non-essential Travel

Trudeau Unveils $82B Covid-19 Emergency Response Package For Canadians, Businesses

The federal government will deploy up to $82 billion in direct spending and deferred taxes to help every Canadian get through the COVID-19 pandemic, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Wednesday.

Trudeau Unveils $82B Covid-19 Emergency Response Package For Canadians, Businesses

Financial Assistance On Way, Trudeau Assures Canadians

Trudeau told Canadians they all had a responsibility to help save lives over the coming weeks.

Financial Assistance On Way, Trudeau Assures Canadians

Quebec Delays Provincial Tax Deadlines, Says Move Will Free Up $7.7 Billion

Quebec Delays Provincial Tax Deadlines, Says Move Will Free Up $7.7 Billion
MONTREAL - Quebec's finance minister is delaying the deadline for individuals and businesses to pay their provincial taxes in order to ease financial pressure caused by the novel coronavirus.    

Quebec Delays Provincial Tax Deadlines, Says Move Will Free Up $7.7 Billion

Crown Says Schlatter 'Stalked And Isolated' Woman Before Strangling Her

TORONTO - Prosecutors say a Toronto man "stalked and isolated" a young woman who had no interest in him, then lured her into an alleyway where he sexually assaulted and strangled her.    

Crown Says Schlatter 'Stalked And Isolated' Woman Before Strangling Her

Health Officials Explain Why Not Everyone Can Get Swabbed For COVID-19 Right Now

TORONTO - Canada's top public health officer says supply limitations are forcing COVID-19 testing centres "to be smart" about who they can assess for the respiratory illness while Health Canada rushes to approve commercial testing kits.    

Health Officials Explain Why Not Everyone Can Get Swabbed For COVID-19 Right Now