ADRIAN Dix, Minister of Health, and Dr. Bonnie Henry, Provincial Health Officer, on Thursday announced 15 new cases of COVID-19, for a total of 2,392 cases in British Columbia.

Sadly, there are three new COVID-19 related deaths in the Fraser Health region, for a total of 135 deaths in the province.

There are 372 active cases of COVID-19 in B.C., and 1,885 people who tested positive have recovered.

Of the total COVID-19 cases, 58 individuals are hospitalized, 12 of whom are in intensive care. The remaining people with COVID-19 are recovering at home in self-isolation.

Every health region in British Columbia has patients with COVID-19. Since the start of the pandemic, there have been 878 in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, 1,149 in the Fraser Health region, 126 in the Island Health region, 181 in the Interior Health region and 58 in the Northern Health region.

There have been no new long-term care or assisted-living facility outbreaks. In total, 15 facilities and four acute-care units have active cases. The outbreak has now been declared over at the MSA rehab acute-care unit in the Fraser Health region.

Public health teams are continuing to provide support for community outbreaks in the poultry sector, at the Mission Institution and with those connected to the Kearl Lake plant in Alberta.

DIX and Henry added: “We are transitioning into Phase 2 of BC’s Restart Plan slowly, with careful thought and consideration. While many of us would look to plan our summer activities well in advance, this year, with the risks of COVID-19 around us, we need to take things week by week.

“Less travel right now is what we are asking of everyone. There are so many activities and places for us to safely enjoy – close to home. Rain or shine, we can get outside and enjoy some of the best of B.C. right in our backyards.

“Top of mind for all of us needs to be: fewer faces, smaller groups, shorter time together and bigger spaces. Always thinking about location, duration and our relations will help to keep all of us safe.

“Let’s use this May long weekend as an opportunity for everyone to put our safe social interaction ‘rules’ into action. A safe path ahead is based on your personal circumstances and your actions.

“Let’s keep our curve flat and keep our province strong – together.”