Coronavirus (COVID-19) cases continue to increase across the province.
Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry confirms one new COVID-19 case in Northern Health in a written update this afternoon (March 27) among 67 new ones in B.C. for a provincial total of 792.
#BREAKING: Henry adds there is one new case in Northern Health, which makes the total 12 #BC #COVID19BC #COVID19Canada #pandemic #WHO #Canada #virus #northernbc #coronavirusoutbreak #COVID19 #coronavirus #CoronaVirusCanada #stayhome #drhenry
— jess fedigan (@jj_fedigan) March 27, 2020
To date, there are now 12 positive cases in Northern Health, five of which have fully recovered.
There are also 391 cases in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, 262 in the Fraser Health region, 57 in Island Health and 70 in Interior Health region.
NEW: In statement, Dr. Henry says there are 67 new cases in B.C. for a new total of 792 #BC #COVID19BC #COVID19Canada #pandemic #WHO #Canada #virus #northernbc #coronavirusoutbreak #COVID19 #coronavirus #CoronaVirusCanada #stayhome #drhenry (photo via Government of B.C.) pic.twitter.com/qjEC3YLaNP
— jess fedigan (@jj_fedigan) March 27, 2020
Two more deaths were also reported in the Vancouver Coastal Health region.
"Our condolences to their loved ones during this difficult time," Dix and Henry said in a joint statement.
Two additional long-term care homes in the Fraser Health Region have staff confirmed to have COVID-19 at the Harrison at Elim Village and Chartwell Independent Living in Langley.
In total, 11 long-term care homes in the Vancouver Coastal and Fraser Health regions have confirmed cases of COVID-19. Public health officials are providing support to implement outbreak protocols.
Henry added 275 patients have recovered and no longer have isolation requirements.
“Additionally, of the total COVID-19 cases, 73 individuals are currently hospitalized, and the remaining people who have tested positive for COVID-19 are recovering at home in self-isolation," the statement adds.
“We are tracking the epidemic curve closely here in B.C. We are also monitoring outbreaks in other nations to guide our health system preparations and public health response."
Dix and Henry are strongly discouraging any in-person gatherings of any size at this time, but are encouraging people to use many online resources available to stay connected to loved ones.
