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45 new cases of COVID-19 in B.C., two in Interior Health

Mar 18, 2020 | 3:07 PM

The provincial health officer’s latest update on the COVID-19 pandemic included 45 new confirmed cases for a total of 231 in B.C. There were two more in the Interior Health District for a total of nine.

Dr. Bonnie Henry reported that there had been no new deaths.

Dr. Henry was emphatic about people taking social distancing of 1-2 metres seriously and not going out unless absolutely necessary. Cleaning hands regularly and not touching your face are very important.

For businesses, she said it was important that essential operations continue such has water, power, the Internet and public transportation. Transit companies and employees should be proactive in keeping their facilities and hands clean.

Grocery stores and pharmacies will have to make it possible for employees to keep themselves and the buggies and shelves clean.

Employers should look at reducing industrial workers on site and staggering break times.

Child care services are being allowed to remain open, but Dr. Henry suggested that parents who may now be working at home, keep their child with them so spaces are available for those who still need the service.

There is an urgent need for blood donations in B.C. and you can go to blood.ca for information on that.

Health Minister Adrian Dix says there are five locations in the province that are now working at confirming COVID-19 tests and he estimates that there have been at least 17,000 people have been tested in the province.

You can do a self-test at covid-19.bccdc.ca and call 1-800-COVID19 for information. Almost 1 Million people have used the self-test site so far.

Canada’s COVID case total is up to 701 with nine fatalities.

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