Two were people in the Fraser Health region whose status has elevated from flu surveillance

Of the seven new cases, three are people who returned from travel to Egypt

VICTORIA (NEWS 1130) – Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry reported Wednesday there are seven additional cases of COVID-19 in B.C., including two more health workers at the Lynn Valley Care Centre in North Vancouver.

There have now been 46 confirmed cases of the new coronavirus in B.C. The update on the total number of cases comes the same day the World Health Organization declared the virus outbreak a pandemic.

One of the care workers is a man in his 20s in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, while the other is a woman in her 50s from the Fraser Health region.

Both are recovering at home in isolation, Henry said.

“The respective health authorities are doing their investigations to determine if there are any additional close contacts,” she added.

Of the seven new cases, three are people who returned from Egypt, including one from Vancouver Island – the first from there.

The latter is a presumptive case, a man in his 60s. A man in his 70s is one of the other cases and was part of the same travel group in Egypt as the Island man.

The third travel case is a man in his 70s from Egypt who is visiting family in the Fraser Health region. He is at a home in isolation, Henry said, as are family members he came into close contact with while they are being monitored.

Seven new cases of #COVID19 in #BC include two more health workers at Lynn Valley Care Centre in North Vancouver. Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says other cases involve travel with three more cases tied to #Egypt. @NEWS1130 — Marcella Bernardo (@Bernardo1130) March 11, 2020

The other two new COVID-19 cases are people in Fraser Health whose status has elevated from flu surveillance. Both were community cases, Henry said.

One of the latter is a woman in her 60s who is in hospital. The other is a man in his 60s who is in isolation at home.

No ban or mitigation of sporting events right now – but assessing each event. (In wa state events over 250 banned, some us sports not having fans) #bcpoli #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/C50Ts7JvU4 — LizaYuzda (@LizaYuzda) March 11, 2020

Regarding the pandemic declaration, Henry said screening of health workers will be enhanced and that the province has learned a lot from other countries.

“It’s not inevitable everybody will be infected,” she added.

Henry suggested the outbreak situation has “calmed down,” adding that no ban or mitigation measures are being placed on sporting events, but the province is assessing each one.

As for schools, Henry said teachers are being asked to give many opportunities for students to wash their hands.

Henry also said long-term care facilities need increased precautions, including screening of health-care workers.

She added Lynn Valley Care Centre staffing is solid and that communication with staff and families has improved.

Health Minister Adrian Dix said it’s important to ensure social distancing isn’t social isolation.