BC announces 16 more cases of coronavirus, 2 additional deaths over the weekend

May 18 2020, 10:22 pm

BC health officials announced 16 new cases of coronavirus over the weekend, along with 2 additional deaths.

Eight cases were reported on Saturday, and 8 on Sunday, with the latest update bringing the total number of known cases in the province to 2,444.

Of these cases, 47 are hospitalized, and 12 are in intensive care.

There are 882 cases in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, 1,195 in the Fraser Health region, 126 Vancouver Island, 181 in the Interior Health Region, and 60 in the Northern Region.

Currently, 335 cases are active in all areas of the province, and there are no new outbreaks in the community or in long term care.

Dr. Bonnie Henry confirmed that the two additional deaths were in long-term care, one in the Fraser Health Region, and one in the Vancouver Coastal Health region.

143 people have died due to the coronavirus in BC, and the total number of recoveries is now 1,966.

Tomorrow, the province is heading into phase 2 of BC’s restart plan, by reopening a number of businesses.

“For many, the transition brings anticipation, but it also for many brings further apprehension and anxiety as schools and businesses look to open once again,” said Dr. Henry in the press conference.

“With the easing of restrictions and the added social interaction, the potential for a flare-up in new cases does go up. Us in public health will be watching very carefully, and we will ensure we have the testing, the resources and the ability to manage any new cases we see.”

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