B.C. extends state of emergency, prepares for week of potential new cases post economic restart

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B.C. health minister Adrian Dix and provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry provide an update on COVID-19, Tuesday, May 26, 2020.Image Credit: SUBMITTED / Province of B.C.

B.C.’s state of emergency has been extended for another two weeks, making it the longest period that emergency orders have been in place.

Premier John Horgan announced the extension today, May 27, noting that it will likely stay in place indefinitely.

This comes as B.C. has another day of keeping new infections below double digits, reporting nine new cases of COVID-19 overnight, raising the provincewide total to 2,550.

"There are 244 active cases of COVID-19 in the province, and 2,144 people who tested positive have recovered,” Dr. Bonnie Henry said in news release, May 27. "Of the total COVID-19 cases, 37 individuals are hospitalized, seven of whom are in intensive care. The remaining people with COVID-19 are recovering at home in self-isolation.”

There was also one new COVID-19 related death in the last day, for a total of 162 deaths in British Columbia.

In the release, Henry and B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix reminded British Columbians that we are only in week two of Phase Two of the provincewide startup. While the COVID-19 infection numbers may be low now, it’s possible that there will be an uptick in the week ahead related to the easing of restrictions and the return to more social behaviour.

"With this in mind, let's continue to take advantage of parks and other activities closer to home, and look to increase social interactions only after fully considering the risks to you and your family,” Dr. Henry said in the release.

"Once we have a good understanding of how we are doing in mid-June, we'll have the data we need to determine our timing for further actions.”

What she described as a “slow and thoughtful approach” is the new normal and it is grounded in what is known about COVID-19 today and will continue to be adapted as we learn more in the weeks and months ahead."

Prior to the COVID-19 health emergency, the longest period the province had been under a state of emergency was the 2017 wildfire season. B.C.'s state of emergency was first issued on March 18 and has been extended multiple times because of the pandemic.