HEALTH Minister Adrian Dix and Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry on Friday announced 53 new cases of COVID-19, for a total of 1,174 cases in British Columbia.

Every health region in British Columbia has patients with COVID-19: 541 are in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, 412 are in the Fraser Health region, 74 are in the Island Health region, 126 are in the Interior Health region and 21 are in the Northern Health region.

There have been 35 COVID-19 related deaths in British Columbia. In the last 24 hours, a further four deaths occurred in the Vancouver Coastal health region.

Dix and Henry said: “There are now 22 long-term care and assisted living facilities in the Vancouver Coastal and Fraser health regions with a combined 176 cases of COVID-19. Residents in these facilities are the most vulnerable citizens, and efforts to protect them continue to be a major focus of our health teams.

“To date, 673 people who had tested positive for COVID-19 have recovered and no longer have isolation requirements.

“Of the total COVID-19 cases, 146 individuals are currently hospitalized, 64 of those are in intensive care and the remaining people with COVID-19 are recovering at home in self-isolation.

“Like Canada itself, each province and territory has had their own unique experience, with a different curve and a different response. But we have all been united in our focus.

“Here in British Columbia, people have gone to extraordinary efforts, making sacrifices to protect their families, our health-care workers and our communities.

“This is the moment that will make the difference. We must hold the line and be unwavering in our commitment to keep our firewall strong, to slow the spread of COVID-19 and flatten the curve.

“Travellers, irrespective of where you are returning from, you must immediately self-isolate for 14 days from the moment you arrive at the airport or cross a land border – without question and without exception.

“For those whose loved ones are now returning home, we encourage you to support them as they self-isolate. We have seen countless examples of how you can maintain physical distance and also provide social connection.

“Those who have been here from the outset, please keep going. Those who are now returning, join us, so we can all stand proud knowing we have all done the right thing.”