Northern Health reaches 60 test-positive recorded COVID-19 cases, provincial total now 2,444

B.C. now has a total of 2,444 COVID-19 cases, according to the latest update from Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Minister of Health Adrian Dix. 

Henry announced this afternoon (May 18) that B.C. has recorded 16 new cases in the past 48 hours, with the last update before today provided on Saturday (May 16). 

Northern Health has seen another positive case recorded since Saturday. The total is now 60 throughout the Northern Health Authority. 

-Two new deaths over the past 24 hours total now 143
-47 hospitalized in B.C.
-12 in ICU
-1,966 have recovered from the virus
-335 active cases in B.C.#COVIDー19 #COVID19BC #drbonniehenry #BC #virus #update #coronavirus #northernbc #northernhealth #bcpoli@PGMatters

— Jess Fedigan (@jj_fedigan) May 18, 2020

Adrian Dix added there are currently two patients hospitalized in the north.

Of B.C.'s total, 882 cases in Vancouver Coastal Health, 1,195 in Fraser Health, 126 on Vancouver Island and181 in the Interior Health region.

There are 47 people hospitalized across the province with 12 of those in acute care/ICU.

Henry added there are 14 long-term care or assisted-living facilities and five acute-care units have active cases. A total of 326 residents and 222 staff members have been affected. 

There are now 335 active cases in B.C. 

Dr. Henry visibly upset when talking about the death of Capt. Jennifer Casey, who died in the @CFSnowbirds crash in #Kamloops yesterday. Also sends well wishes to Capt. Richard MacDougall, who suffered injuries #snowbirds #bc #snowbirdcrash #canada

— Jess Fedigan (@jj_fedigan) May 18, 2020

Henry said there have been another two deaths confirmed, raising the total to 143 province-wide.

Officials also added a total of 1,966 have recovered from the virus and are no longer required to be in isolation. 

Starting tomorrow (May 19), many businesses that had been closed due to the pandemic can "begin the process of safely reopening," said Henry. The public health officer's revised orders can be found on the province's website. 

- With files from Megan Lalonde and Elana Shepert, Vancouver Is Awesome