COVID-19 pandemic in British Columbia


The COVID-19 pandemic in British Columbia forms part of an ongoing worldwide viral pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019, a novel infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. On January 28, 2020, British Columbia became the second province to confirm a case of COVID-19 in Canada. The first case of infection involved a patient who had recently returned from Wuhan, Hubei, China. The first case of community transmission in Canada was confirmed in British Columbia on March 5, 2020., the BC Centre for Disease Control had announced 3,641 confirmed cases, 3,168 recoveries, and 195 deaths., 265,004 tests for the virus had been conducted in British Columbia.
British Columbians have taken numerous emergency measures in an effort to reduce the spread of the virus, including placing emphasis on physical distancing and self-isolation. On March 23, British Columbian Premier John Horgan announced the details of the province-wide emergency-relief plan, which includes income support, tax relief and direct funding in order to mitigate economic effects of the pandemic.

Management

A public health emergency was declared in the province on March 17. On March 18, BC Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth declared a province-wide state of emergency. Several municipalities in the Metro Vancouver Regional District have declared local states of emergency, including Vancouver, New Westminster, Delta, Surrey, and Richmond.
On March 19, the BC Housing Management Commission placed a moratorium on evictions from government subsidized housing.
British Columbia provided an online self assessment tool for those who are concerned they may be infected. First responders such as police and firefighters have begun to ask screening questions about COVID-19 symptoms prior to attendance, and may wear additional personal protective equipment upon attendance to residences.

Closures

Gatherings of over 50 people have been banned, and bars and nightclubs have been ordered to close. Restaurants and cafes were initially permitted to remain open as long as staff were able to maintain physical distance from customers. However, on March 20, provincial health officer Bonnie Henry ordered the closure of all dine-in establishments. On March 21, she ordered all personal service establishments, such as day spas, hair and beauty salons, and tattoo parlours, to close for the foreseeable future. Many cities have closed public playgrounds, including Vancouver, Delta, Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, and Port Moody.
Numerous businesses have voluntarily reduced operating hours or closed physical locations. Many have moved operations to phone and internet.

Timeline

The first case in British Columbia was reported on January 28. The person had returned from Wuhan and began experiencing symptoms on January 26, with self-isolation beginning immediately.
The first case in BC's interior was reported on February 14. The person had recently returned from China, and was self-isolating.
The first case in the Fraser Health region was reported on February 20. This was also the first BC case where the person had traveled from Iran. The person immediately began self-isolation.
The first two cases in the Lynn Valley Care Centre in North Vancouver were reported on March 7. One resident and one staff member were diagnosed. The staff member is now thought to be Canada's first case of community transmission. This care centre became Canada's worst outbreak, with 16 cases to date, and may be linked to subsequent cases in another seniors' home and a hospital in North Vancouver.
BC's first two cases linked to the Grand Princess were also reported on March 7. They were hospitalized.
On March 9, the Lynn Valley outbreak resulted in Canada's first death. The person was a man in his 80s with pre-existing health conditions. On March 17, three more deaths were announced: 2 were at the Lynn Valley Care Center, the other "in hospital in the Fraser Health region". Another death was reported at the Lynn Valley Care Centre on March 19 and again on March 21.
on April 26, 2020
On March 18, 45 cases were confirmed, increasing the total to 231. On March 19, 40 new cases were confirmed. On March 20, 77 cases were confirmed and 76 cases were confirmed on March 21, increasing the total number of cases to 424. On March 23, health officials in BC reported that 100 people had recovered from the virus. The number of confirmed cases in the province rose to 472. On March 24, the number of confirmed cases in the province rose to 617. On the other hand, the number of recovered people rose to 173. On March 25, confirmed cases rose to 659, deaths to 14, and recoveries to 183.
On March 27, 67 new cases in the province were reported, bringing the total number of cases to 792. Another 2 deaths were also confirmed, which took place in the Vancouver Coastal Health region. However, the number of recoveries rose to 275. On March 28, 92 more cases were reported in the province, bringing the total to 884. Another death was also confirmed by health authorities as well. The number of recoveries rose to 396.
On March 30, the number of cases rose to 970, seeing 86 new cases. Two other deaths were confirmed as well, but the number of recoveries rose to 469.
On April 4, the number of cases rose to 1,203, after 29 new cases were confirmed. Despite it being the lowest amount of confirmed cases in weeks, 3 more people were confirmed dead. The number of recoveries rose to 704.
On April 7, the number of cases rose to 1,291, and an additional 4 more deaths were reported. However, the amount of recoveries rose to 805, with the province "bending the curve."
On April 17, Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced that B.C. had succeeded in reducing the number of cases and the health-care system was not overwhelmed. She added that B.C. had "flattened that curve".
On May 19, the government announced that it was advancing to phase 2 of the restart plan, allowing all retail, restaurants, libraries, museums, offices and childcare to reopen. Parks and beaches were also allowed to reopen with social distancing requirements in place. Medically necessary services for physiotherapy, dentistry, massage therapy and chiropractic were also allowed to resume, along with hair salons and counselling services.
On June 24, Premier John Horgan and Dr. Henry announced that BC had successfully flattened the curve enough to allow the province to proceed to phase 3 of the restart plan, allowing the film industry to resume, and a return for in-person education for elementary and high school students in September. Gatherings of people greater than 50 were still prohibited. Phase 4 of the restart plan has yet to be implemented; entry to stage 4 is conditional on "widespread vaccination, community immunity, or successful treatments." The national and global numbers of active case numbers will also need to decline in order for the province to recommend its implementation. Once BC moves to stage 4, conventions, concerts, international tourism, and professional sports with audiences will be allowed.
There are plans as of late July 2020 by the Provincial Government to announce back to school plans for the 2020-21 school year.

By health authority

All health authority regions of BC are affected., case totals per region are as follows: Fraser Health, Vancouver Coastal Health, Interior Health, Island Health, Northern Health, plus 63 cases that are outside Canada. Of these cases, 3,168 have recovered, 5 are in hospital, and 2 are in ICU.

Social and economic impact

As a result of the pandemic, BC Ferries cancelled sailings, began to permit passengers to stay in their vehicles during sailings, and were granted authority to refuse to transport passengers showing symptoms consistent with the coronavirus. On April 12, BC Ferries announced that they had reduced their sailings and were operating at 50 percent capacity.
The provincial legislature passed an aid bill on March 25, 2020, before adjourning indefinitely. While adjourned, some virtual sessions took place. The leadership contest of the Green Party of British Columbia was postponed.
In many parts of the province, residents began daily cheers at 7:00 p.m. to celebrate and thank healthcare workers. In April, Mr. PG flew a flag emblazoned with a red heart as part of a community support initiative.
In response to layoffs and unemployment, the government suspended nearly all evictions and froze rent increases. In limited circumstances where safety concerns exist, evictions were still permitted, as well as where notices were issued prior to the state of emergency. A $500 monthly rental rebate was also created to assist tenants unable to pay their monthly rent. The rebate is paid directly to landlords of qualifying tenants. The Vancouver Tenants Union called for tenants in larger complexes to unite to negotiate favourable terms with landlords. Some other tenant advocacy groups called for a large-scale rent strike.
The Pacific National Exhibition and Celebration of Light were both cancelled. The Vancouver Pride Society cancelled its parade, and planned virtual events in its place.
Closures caused cash-flow problems for attractions including Science World, the H. R. MacMillan Space Centre, and the Vancouver Aquarium which rely on revenues from admissions. In response to reports that the Aquarium might have to close permanently, fundraisers raised over $600,000.

Statistical data

New cases and deaths - Weekly


Cumulative cases, deaths, recoveries and active cases
Note: Charts are based on numbers released by health officials and may not reflect unreported cases or recoveries. Recoveries are logged on the first date after they were announced by health officials. Sources: