Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.’s provincial health officer, and Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, have issued the following joint statement regarding updates on the COVID-19 response in British Columbia:

“Today, we are reporting on three periods. From May 21 to May 22, we had 356 new cases. From May 22 to May 23, we had 325 new cases and in the last 24 hours, we had a further 293 new cases.

“This results in 974 new cases over the period, for a total of 142,347 cases in British Columbia.

“There are 3,953 active cases of COVID-19 in the province. A further 136,603 people who tested positive have recovered.

“Of the active cases, 292 individuals are currently hospitalized with COVID-19, 96 of whom are in intensive care. The remaining people with COVID-19 are recovering at home in self-isolation.

“Since we last reported, we have had 157 new cases of COVID-19 in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, 630 new cases in the Fraser Health region, 25 in the Island Health region, 117 in the Interior Health region, 44 in the Northern Health region and one new case of a person who resides outside of Canada.

“There have been 12 new COVID-19 related deaths, for a total of 1,679 deaths in British Columbia. Our condolences are with the family, friends and caregivers of the people who have died as a result of COVID-19.

“2,885,488 doses of Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines have been administered to adults 18 and over in B.C., 147,144 of which are second doses.

“Today is one day closer to putting this pandemic behind us. It’s the decisions we make right now and continue to make in the coming days and weeks that will make all the difference in our efforts to continue pushing COVID-19 numbers down.

“On this holiday Monday, we are grateful for the determination and resolve British Columbians have shown. Their willingness to end this pandemic has been immeasurable.

“As we look to tomorrow and the announcement of the restart plan, we encourage everyone to stay the course today. Until tomorrow’s announcement, there are no changes for individuals or businesses.

“As we enjoy the final day of this long weekend, let’s remember to stay local and be kind to one another. Have a safe and enjoyable holiday Monday.”

Learn More:

To see the May 20, 2021, PowerPoint presentation, visit: http://news.gov.bc.ca/files/20210520_PHO-Presentation.pdf

To view the latest registration numbers by age, visit: http://news.gov.bc.ca/files/5-10-21_vaccine_registration.pdf

Register for your vaccine now: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/covid-19/vaccine/register
Or call 1-833-838-2323.

For more information about current COVID-19 travel restrictions, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/covid-19/travel/current

Provincial health officer orders and guidance:

Orders: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/about-bc-s-health-care-system/office-of-the-provincial-health-officer/current-health-topics/covid-19-novel-coronavirus

Guidance on restrictions: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/covid-19-provincial-support/restrictions

The latest vaccine information:

For vaccine information, visit the BCCDC dashboard: http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/data
Or: www.bccdc.ca

The latest updates, guidance and information on COVID-19, and where to get tested:

The latest medical updates, including case counts, prevention, risks and to find a testing centre near you: http://www.bccdc.ca/
Or follow @CDCofBC on Twitter.

For data regarding ongoing outbreaks in long-term care, assisted-living and independent-living facilities in B.C., visit: http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/data#outbreak

Mental health support:

Mental health and anxiety support: www.bouncebackbc.ca
Or: www.anxietycanada.com
Or: http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/about-covid-19/mental-well-being-during-covid-19
Or: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/managing-your-health/mental-health-substance-use/virtual-supports-covid-19

Non-health related information:

Financial, child care and education support, travel, transportation and essential service information: www.gov.bc.ca/covid19
Or call 1 888 COVID19 (1 888 268-4319) between 7:30 a.m. and 8 p.m. (Pacific time), seven days a week.

COVID-19 exposure events, updates and information by health authority, visit:
BCCDC (flights, work sites, etc.): http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/public-exposures
Fraser Health: fraserhealth.ca/covid19exposure
Interior Health: https://news.interiorhealth.ca/news/public-exposures/
Island Health: https://www.islandhealth.ca/learn-about-health/covid-19/outbreaks-and-exposures
Northern Health: https://www.northernhealth.ca/health-topics/outbreaks-and-exposures
Vancouver Coastal Health: http://www.vch.ca/covid-19/public-exposures

For the latest videos and livestreaming of COVID-19 media availabilities, visit:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/BCProvincialGovernment/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BCGovNews
YouTube: www.youtube.com/ProvinceofBC

Two backgrounders follow.

Applications are now being accepted for B.C.’s Multiculturalism Grants Program, which has been updated to help organizations working to improve cultural interactions, reduce barriers and remove discrimination to create a more inclusive province.

Learn more here: https://news.gov.bc.ca/18639

The BC Arts Council is accepting applications for the Community Arts Festival and Youth Engagement grants.

The BC Arts Council’s Community Arts Festivals grants are offered to non-profit community-based arts and cultural organizations involved in the production of local arts and culture festivals. Eligible festivals must be more than one day in duration. Grants of up to $6,000 are available to offset the costs paid to professional artists and technicians from throughout B.C. and Canada. Submissions for Community Arts Festivals grants must be post-marked no later than Jan. 30, 2019.