Home »
COVID-19 regional snapshot as of May 22
NEW updates surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic (as of Friday, May 22), as compiled by the Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK).
Current Situation in B.C. (as of 3 p.m. PDT May 22).
Cases:
Total confirmed cases in BC (since January): 2,507
New cases since May 21: 18
Hospitalized cases: 41
Intensive Care: 8
COVID-19 related deaths: 155
Recovered: 2,042
Long term care/assisted living homes affected: 14
Acute-care unit outbreaks: 2
Confirmed cases by region:
Vancouver Coastal Health: 888
Fraser Health: 1,236
Island Health: 127
Interior Health: 194
Northern Health: 62
NEW Provincial Updates
There are 310 active cases in B.C. currently.
There are two new positive cases in Interior Health since yesterday.
There is a change in the numbers between new cases and total cases in Interior Health and Island Health today due to a data consolidation to reflect COVID-19 cases based on where individuals reside, even if they were not in the health authority during their illness. Nine of the cases in Interior Health and one case in Island Health are individuals associated with the Kearl Lake outbreak, who completed their self-isolation in Alberta and have since recovered.
The order restricting mass gatherings to no more than 50 individuals remains in place and has been expanded to include no more than 50 vehicles for outdoor drive-in events.
BC Parks is gearing up for the next phase of its re-opening with overnight camping for BC residents starting June 1 and is expected to provide additional details next week.
To support the province’s hospitality sector in reopening, food-primary, liquor-primary and manufacturer licensees, such as wineries, breweries and distilleries, can apply through a simplified online process to temporarily expand their service areas (for things like patios) until Oct. 31. The temporary authorizations are focused on expanding a licensed service area’s footprint to support physical distancing requirements without increasing overall occupancy.
NO BURNING
A reminder that outdoor burning is still banned across the East Kootenay, including: brush piles, grass fires, open fires, and the use of fireworks and burn barrels. Campfires (0.5m x 0.5m) are allowed at this time.
NEW FEDERAL Updates
The Prime Minister today emphasized three keys to Canada’s successful re-opening: scaling up testing capacity so we can quickly identify new cases and isolate them; accelerating our ability to do contact tracing; and, ensuring the data collected across jurisdictions is shared between provinces and territories.
A new web-based benefits finder tool is now available to help Canadians determine which government benefits programs best meet their needs. The tool will be updated as new programs are announced and currently provides individuals with information on federal, provincial and territorial benefits programs available to them, including the just-launched Canada Emergency Student Benefit, Canada Emergency Response Benefit, Canada Child Benefit top-up, as well as measures such as mortgage and student loan deferrals. Visit canada.ca/coronavirusbenefits.
The changes to the Canadian Emergency Business Account (CEBA) announced earlier this week allow an estimated additional 36,566 farms nation-wide to access the CEBA, for a total of over 67,000 eligible farms across Canada. This equates to up to $2.68 billion in interest-free loans to Canadian farmers. Farmers unable to access CEBA, can turn towards the Regional Relief and Recovery Fund
RESOURCES:
Phone Numbers:
- 1-888-268-4319 – Non-health COVID-19 info
- 811 – dial 811 for COVID & non-COVID health info
- 211 – seniors looking for help (or volunteers willing to help) or visit: http://www.bc211.ca/
- Crisis Line: 1.888.353.2273
- Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868
Online Links:
COVID-19 Self Assessment Tool & App
Province of BC Information Hub
RDEK
