What you need to know about COVID-19 in B.C. on May 23, 2020

Small signs of normal life are starting to return to B.C. as the province enters the second stage of its pandemic response.

THE LATEST:

• Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry will give her daily update at 1 p.m. PT.
• As of Friday afternoon, there have been 2,507 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the province.
• 155 people have died of the illness.
• Of those who have tested positive, 2,042 people have recovered.
• There are 41 patients in hospital, including eight in intensive care.

Small signs of normal life are starting to return to B.C. as the province enters the second stage of its pandemic response.

Some restaurants and hair salons have opened in the past week under strict new guidelines about physical distancing and hygiene, while more health-care services are becoming available.

“We are finding our new balance between protecting our health and reopening many of the businesses and activities that are important to all of us,” Health Minister Adrian Dix and Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said in a press release Friday.

“Phase 2 of B.C.'s Restart Plan is about pausing before moving forward; being thoughtful and cautious to keep everyone safe, while COVID-19 remains in our communities.”

As of Friday, there have been 2,507 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus and 155 deaths. A total of 2,042 people have recovered from their illnesses, bringing the number of active cases to 310.

There are now 41 COVID-19 patients in B.C. hospitals, including eight in intensive care.

READ MORE: 

• Your guide to financial help available for people in B.C. affected by the crisis
• How to apply for EI and COVID-19 emergency benefits
• Get the latest advisories, updates and cancellations for B.C.

Top COVID-19 stories today

• A new outbreak of COVID-19 has been detected at Nature's Touch, a frozen fruit processing plant in Abbotsford, B.C.
• Now that the province is in Phase 2 of the government's restart plan, religious leaders are trying to determine how to safely reopen places of worship. 
• The provincial government is allowing businesses like restaurants, cafes and breweries to make their patios bigger so they can serve more people at a proper distance.
• B.C.'s Information and Privacy Commissioner says businesses asked to collect information to assist with COVID-19 contact tracing must make sure the information is properly secured and used only for that express purpose. 
• Concerns over noise and physical distancing led organizers of a nightly Vancouver dance party to pull the plug, but neighbours say the connections they made through the event will outlast the pandemic.
• As clinics remain shut down and in-person meetings with therapists are out of reach, virtual therapy is now a lifeline for many struggling with mental health amid the coronavirus pandemic.
• Vancouver police are reporting a dramatic spike in hate crimes connected with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Important reminders:

Health officials widely agree the most important thing you can do to prevent coronavirus and other illnesses is to wash your hands regularly and avoid touching your face. 

The World Health Organization said more than 80 per cent of COVID-19 infections are estimated to be mild.

What's happening elsewhere in Canada

As of 7 a.m. PT on Friday, Canada had 82,480 confirmed coronavirus cases. A CBC News tally of deaths attributed to coronavirus based on provincial data, regional health information and CBC's journalism stood at 6,342.

The numbers are not a complete picture, as they don't account for people who haven't been tested, those being investigated as a potential case and people still waiting for test results. 

For a look at what's happening across the country and the world, check the CBC interactive case tracker.

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

Common symptoms include:

• Fever.
• Cough.
• Tiredness.

But more serious symptoms can develop, including difficulty breathing and pneumonia.

What should I do if I feel sick?

Stay home. Isolate yourself and call your local public health authority or 811. Do not visit an emergency room or urgent care centre to get tested.

Find information about COVID-19 from the B.C. Centre for Disease Control.

Non-medical information about COVID-19 is available in B.C. from 7:30 a.m.-8 p.m. PT, seven days a week at 1-888-COVID19 (1-888-268-4319).

What can I do to protect myself?

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• Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly. Keep them clean.
• Keep at least two metres away from people who are sick.
• When outside the home, keep two metres away from other people.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Masks won't fully protect you from infection, but can help prevent you from infecting others.

More detailed information on the outbreak is available on the federal government's website.

If you have a COVID-19-related story we should pursue that affects British Columbians, please email us at impact@cbc.ca

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