BC health officials report 21 new coronavirus cases, three deaths

British Columbia health officials announced 21 new test-positive coronavirus cases on Wednesday, bringing the total number of recorded cases in the province to 2,467.

In a written statement, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix also reported three additional deaths, bringing the province’s total number of deaths to 149.

Currently, there are 317 active cases of COVID-19 in the province, and 2,001 people who tested positive have recovered.

Of the total COVID-19 cases in BC, 43 individuals are hospitalized, 10 of whom are in intensive care. The remaining people with COVID-19 are recovering at home.

Broken down by health region, there are 885 cases in Vancouver Coastal Health, 1,214 in Fraser Health, 126 on Vancouver Island, 182 in Interior Health, and 60 in Northern Health.

Henry and Dix also reported one new healthcare outbreak at The Cedars assisted-living facility in Mission.

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Officials also addressed the federal government’s recommendation on the use of non-medical masks or cloth face coverings in a public setting.

“When it is difficult to keep a safe physical distance for an extended period of time – for example, when you are on transit – this is a good way for you to protect those around you,” reads the statement.

“We have to remember that face coverings keep our droplets in and don’t prevent transmission from others. The best ways for us to stay safe is to wash our hands, maintain a safe physical distance from others and keep our ‘rules’ for social interactions top of mind.”