By Lyonel Doherty
British Columbia is not through the COVID-19 storm yet, and has still to reach its peak, according to Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry.
Today, she reported a total of 86 new cases over the last 48 hours, for a total of 970 in B.C., including 94 in the Interior Health region.
Henry reported a total of 106 people in hospital, with 60 in intensive care.
But she has some good news: nearly 50 per cent have fully recovered, meaning 469 have been released from isolation.
Two additional deaths have been reported, for a total of 19 deaths in the province.
Henry said B.C. is at a critical juncture right now when every single person needs to follow the rules around social distancing. She stated they will soon know whether the province will see a flattening of the COVID-19 curve based on outcomes.
Henry said most people are taking this seriously by keeping their distance from others, reminding folks about the order that prohibits gatherings of more than 50 people.
“That doesn’t mean you can have 49 people at a house party (because this is how the virus can spread).”
Even small groups inside (and outside) can pose a real risk, she pointed out.
Minister of Health Adrian Dix reported there are 19 hospitals acting as primary COVID-19 sites, including Penticton and Kelowna hospitals.
The province is even setting up alternate treatment sites in convention centres, he pointed out.
Dix said the challenge to secure personal protective equipment is ongoing, but he was happy to report they received one million surgical masks today.
The minister also noted that ambulance paramedics are seeing fewer calls now that fewer vehicles are on the road.
