Sophie Gray
Local Journalism Initiative
The number of new COVID-19 cases stayed low over the weekend, as B.C. moved into its second week of the provincial restart plan.
Dr. Bonnie Henry announced only 12 new cases in her provincial update today, five of which occurred over Saturday and Sunday with the seven remaining cases happening between Sunday and Monday afternoon.
Active case numbers are also down to 267, while the total number of recorded cases in the Interior Health region remain steady at 194.
There were an additional four deaths over the weekend related to long-term or assisted living facility outbreaks.
Dr. Henry also addressed whether lockdown protocols at long-term and assisted living facilities are likely to be lifted anytime soon to allow for visitations. She said conditions are not at a point yet where this is an option.
“It’s still quite dangerous. Everybody has their ‘one,’ but that whole community can be at risk,” said Dr. Henry. “And many of us visiting in care homes may be at risk ourselves.”
She added that health authorities are investigating ways to allow safe visits when the time is right.
Minister of Health Adrian Dix said that he does not believe those visitations are likely to happen over the summer months.
“I would say that I don’t see it in the immediate,” said Dix. “COVID-19 is a pernicious enemy and the people who it targets the most effectively are people who are living in long-term care and acute care.”
