The COVID-19 situation in British Columbia is continually evolving and the information below is current as of 3 p.m. on Wednesday, April 8, 2020.
Cases:
* Total confirmed cases in B.C.: 1,336
* New cases since April 7, 2020: 45
* Hospitalized cases: 135
* Intensive care: 61
* COVID-19 related deaths: 48
* Recovered: 838
* Long term care and assisted living homes currently affected: 21
Confirmed cases by region:
* Vancouver Coastal Health: 615
* Fraser Health: 487
* Island Health: 81
* Interior Health: 130
* Northern Health: 23
New provincial advice and measures:
* NEW: New measures support returning British Columbians, boost response to COVID-19:
https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020PREM0019-000657
* NEW: Mitzi Dean, Parliamentary Secretary for Gender Equity, has issued the following statement about the Province’s support for women and children experiencing violence during the COVID-19 pandemic: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020FIN0020-000656
* NEW: Families throughout B.C. to benefit from enhanced digital library services:
https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020EDUC0019-000652
* NEW: Civil Resolution Tribunal extends deadlines, waives fees for those struggling financially during pandemic:
https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020AG0030-000651
* NEW: B.C. government is providing a new Emergency Relief Support Fund and has added service flexibility for parents of children with special needs to help during the COVID-19 pandemic: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020CFD0043-000650
* NEW: B.C. government is restricting camping and motorized recreation (including the use of off-road vehicles) throughout the entire Koocanusa Recreation Strategy area this spring and summer: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020FLNR0019-000647
* NEW: BC Parks is immediately closing all provincial parks in response to the widespread call for increased action to address COVID-19:
https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020ENV0019-000645
* Office of the Provincial Health Officer COVID-19 Ethical Decision-Making Framework:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/health/about-bc-s-health-care-system/office-of-the-provincial-health-officer/covid-19/ethics_framework_for_covid_march_28_2020.pdf
* Latest COVID-19 updates and statements: https://news.gov.bc.ca/Search?q=COVID-19
* Critical care and acute care hospitalization modelling information:
https://news.gov.bc.ca/files/COVID19_Technical_Briefing_Condensed.pdf
New travel/federal measures:
* NEW: Travel restrictions still in place at international border crossings for the upcoming long weekend:
https://www.canada.ca/en/border-services-agency/news/2020/04/travel-restrictions-still-in-place-at-international-border-crossings-for-the-upcoming-long-weekend.html
* NEW: Changes to Canada Summer Jobs program to help businesses and young Canadians affected by COVID-19:
https://pm.gc.ca/en/news/news-releases/2020/04/08/changes-canada-summer-jobs-program-help-businesses-and-young
* NEW: Government provides further flexibility for employers to access the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy:
https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/news/2020/04/government-provides-further-flexibility-for-employers-to-access-the-canada-emergency-wage-subsidy.html
* NEW: Competition Bureau statement on competitor collaborations during the COVID-19 pandemic:
https://www.canada.ca/en/competition-bureau/news/2020/04/competition-bureau-statement-on-competitor-collaborations-during-the-covid-19-pandemic.html
* For Government of Canada COVID-19 travel advice:
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/latest-travel-health-advice.html
Resources:
* For provincial support and COVID-19 information: www.gov.bc.ca/covid
* For seniors looking for additional support at this time, call 211
Or visit: http://www.bc211.ca/
* For information for Indigenous peoples in B.C., visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/indigenous-people/covid19
* If you or a family member need additional medical advice, call 811.
Testing:
* 51,423 individuals have been tested as of April 7, 2020.
* If symptoms appear, check your symptoms online: https://covid19.thrive.health
* If needed, call your health-care provider or 811 for further guidance.
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