BC reports 66 new coronavirus cases but no new deaths

British Columbia has discovered 66 more cases of COVID-19, bringing the province’s total number of known cases to 725.

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry gave the update from Victoria at her daily press conference while reinforcing the need to practice physical distancing to slow the virus’ spread.

“Every day that we stay at home … brings us a day closer to being able to manage this response,” Henry said.

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Sixty-six coronavirus patients are in hospital around BC, and 26 of them are in the intensive care unit.

BC didn’t report any new deaths Thursday, leaving the province’s coronavirus death toll at 14.

Henry announces 66 new cases in the last 24 hours. Total 725 in BC.

VCH: 359
Fraser Health: 241
Vancouver Island: 52
Interior: 62
Northern: 11

— SimRan (@SimranRoohi) March 26, 2020

BC has experienced the most coronavirus deaths of any province in part because it’s dealing with outbreaks at nine different long-term care facilities.

“It’s critical to protect people in care homes,” Health Minister Adrian Dix said, explaining why the province issued a directive Thursday preventing healthcare staff from working in more than one care home.

BC is also reporting 186 recoveries from the virus.