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BԪַFewer faces, bigger spacesBԪַ: Dr. Henry urges caution as B.C. sees 16 new cases, one death

Warning comes ahead of May long weekend
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FILE BԪַ Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry. (B.C. government)

B.C. has recorded 16 new cases and one additional death due to COVID-19, Dr. Bonnie Henry said on Wednesday (May 13).

The province has had a total of 2,376 confirmed cases, 385 of which are still active. A total of 132 people have died. The death reported Wednesday was of a senior in a Fraser Health longterm care facility.

There are currently 59 people hospitalized with COVID-19, 15 of whom are in ICU.

Henry reminded British Columbians about the rules going forward on gatherings, as the province gets ready to enter phase two of the pandemic response over the May long weekend.

BԪַI know its been challenging to understand what it means going forward,BԪַ she said.

The keys, Henry noted, are: BԪַfewer faces, bigger spacesBԪַ even as British Columbians expand their bubble up to six people.

Those new people, she noted, should remain constant.

BԪַDonBԪַt change it up every day, thatBԪַs not going to be helpful,BԪַ Henry said, noting that friends and family should agree to remain exclusive to their new small groups.

And while gatherings of up to 50 people are allowed, proper physical distancing must still be maintained outside of peopleBԪַs bubbles. ItBԪַs also a good idea to keep gatherings short and outdoors, Henry said, to limit the time during which the virus can be transmitted.

Ultimately, Henry said, itBԪַs up to everyone to decide on their own if they will expand their bubbles and who to include, depending on the people in their own households.

Health Minister Adrian Dix asked people to consider if any Victoria Day travel plans were truly essential, BԪַeven if itBԪַs your second home, even if itBԪַs a place you go to every Victoria Day weekend.BԪַ

People who do leave their communities should BԪַbring your own food, bring your own necessities thereBԪַ to maintain physical distancing.

Henry said non-essential travel within B.C. could become an option in the coming weeks, after the long weekend. She said restaurants and salons will be given specific guidance to open as soon as May 19.

The provincial health officer also lauded the 75,000 British Columbians who had already taken a new B.C. Centre for Disease Control survey at about COVID-19.

BԪַThe response has been outstanding.BԪַ

The survey includes the further option to sign up for serology testing, which will test for antibodies through a test Health Canada just approved.

The testBԪַs approval was heartening, Henry said, to determine what kind of antibodies are left after both mild and severe cases of the virus, as well as what level of protection they can offer.

BԪַI fully expect this is going to be really helpful for us.BԪַ

If you do not need to go somewhere, even if itBԪַs a place you go to every Victoria Day weekend.

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katya.slepian@bpdigital.ca

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