43 new COVID-19 cases, total 1,013; 5 more deaths – total 24

HEALTH Minister Adrian Dix and Provincial Health Minister Dr. Bonnie Henry on Tuesday announced 43 new cases of COVID-19, for a total of 1,013 cases in British Columbia.

There were five deaths in the Vancouver Coastal and Fraser Health regions in the last 24 hours, for a total of 24 COVID-19 related deaths in British Columbia.

Every health region in British Columbia has patients with COVID-19: 476 are in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, 348 are in the Fraser Health region, 67 are in the Island Health region, 107 are in the Interior Health region and 15 are in the Northern Health region.

Dix and Henry said: “We continue to see new cases in long-term care and assisted living homes. There are now COVID-19 cases in 19 facilities in B.C., all in the Fraser and Vancouver Coastal health regions. Public health officials are providing support to implement outbreak protocols at all sites.

“To date, 507 people who had tested positive for COVID-19 have recovered and no longer have isolation requirements.

“Of the total COVID-19 cases, 128 individuals are currently hospitalized, 61 of those are in intensive care and the remaining people with COVID-19 are recovering at home in self-isolation.

“We are at a critical juncture in our provincial COVID-19 response. Every British Columbian has a part to play to flatten the curve. We must all do the right thing and be 100% committed.

“No one is immune, but everyone can make a difference. If you are older, staying home keeps you away from those who could put you at risk. If you are young, staying apart means you are preserving important capacity within our health-care system for our elders and others at highest risk.

“The Government of B.C. continues to provide new resources to support British Columbians during this challenging time.

“We are providing our essential workers who are parents a new resource to access child care for children five years old and younger. Starting today, they can register with child care resource referral centres to be assigned licensed child care spaces in their area.”

Cases as of 3 p.m. on Tuesday, March 31

* Total confirmed cases in B.C.: 1,013

* New cases since March 30, 2020: 43

* Hospitalized cases: 128

* Intensive care: 61

* COVID-19 related deaths: 24

* Recovered: 507

Confirmed cases by region:

* Vancouver Coastal Health: 476

* Fraser Health: 348

* Island Health: 67

* Interior Health: 107

* Northern Health: 15