Dr. Bonnie Henry has confirmed an additional 29 cases of COVID-19, for a total of 1,203 cases identified provincially.
3 new deaths have occurred, for a provincial cumulative total of 38.
There have been 704 total recoveries now, with 58% of cases making a full recovery.
However, 149 individuals remain hospitalized, with 68 in acute care.
@DrBonnieHenry reiterates: “the risk remains high right now.”
— My Prince George Now (@mypgnow) April 4, 2020
Of the 1,203 total cases there are:
554 in Vancouver Coastal Health (an increase of 13)
424 in Fraser Health (an increase of 12)
76 in Island Health (an increase of 2)
128 in Interior Health (an increase of 2)
21 in Northern Health (no change)
@DrBonnieHenry says that 23 long-term care homes in British Columbia are now impacted by the virus.
— My Prince George Now (@mypgnow) April 4, 2020
Dr. Henry spoke about the importance of limiting connections in addition to physical distancing, encouraging individuals to interact with as few people as possible to avoid introducing the virus into homes, families, etc.
Additionally, in a joint statement with Dr. Henry and the Ministry of Health, the pair explained:
“A new COVID-19 Strategic Research Advisory Committee, led by Dr. David Patrick and supported by former provincial health officer Dr. Perry Kendall and other notable public health experts, is facilitating research efforts across the province.”
The team will advise the Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research, which has received 2 million dollars to research aspects of public health.
In the joint statement, Henry and the Ministry elaborated:
“Their research will focus on B.C.-specific epidemiology and public health countermeasures to address some of the challenges of long-term care homes, inner city populations, rural communities, Indigenous people, and health-care workers.”