BC’s COVID-19 cases as of March 30
On Monday, BC reported 2,518 new COVID-19 cases from Friday to Sunday. Of the new cases, 816 people were in the Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) region.
Yesterday, BC reported 840 new cases, 265 in the VCH region.
And today, BC reported 1,013 new cases, 385 in the VCH region.
There are currently 7,405 active COVID-19 cases across BC, up from 6,902 on Monday.
- Click here to read the latest COVID-19 updates from BC’s health officials.
- Click here to watch the daily COVID-19 updates from the Province of BC, with Minister Adrian Dix and Dr. Bonnie Henry.
Three-week circuit breaker to bend COVID-19 curve
Recently there has been exponential growth in new COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and people requiring critical care support.
On Monday, the provincial health officer amended public health orders to address rising COVID-19 case counts and break the chains of transmission until the population is fully vaccinated.
New health orders came into effect this week and are in place until April 19, 2021:
- Indoor low intensity group exercise classes are cancelled
- Gyms and fitness centres are restricted to individual or one-on-one activities only
- Restaurants, pubs and bars are closed for indoor dining. Outdoor patio seating, take-out and delivery is allowed.
- Dining on patios should be with immediate household or core bubble.
- Travel continues to be limited to essential travel, work or medical reasons only. Whistler Blackcomb ski resort is closed.
- The variance allowing indoor religious gatherings and worship services between March 28 and May 13 is suspended.
- All workers are strongly encouraged to work from home, where possible.
All K to 12 staff and all students in grades 4 to 12 are required to wear non-medical masks in all indoor areas, including:
- At their work stations (desks)
- On school buses
- Within and outside learning groups
Reporting COVID-19 violations
By order of the Provincial Health Officer (PHO), all events and gatherings are suspended, unless they have an exemption. People and businesses can be issued a violation ticket for non-compliance.
The Vancouver Police Department (VPD) is authorized by the Province to issue tickets and penalties to people or businesses who are offenders of provincial health orders. Penalties are determined by the province.
Report violation in City of Vancouver
To report a COVID-19 provincial health order violation happening in the City of Vancouver, complete this online form. Violations that can be reported include banquet halls or nightclubs that are open, businesses with too many people inside or without wearing masks and social gatherings.
When to phone VPD
Phone the VPD non-emergency line, 604-717-3321, to report an in progress:
- house party of 6 people or more (not including people living in the property or unit)
- gathering of 50 people or more
- drum circle or activities attracting large crowds
Do not call 9-1-1 unless there’s an immediate threat to safety, property damage, or other urgent issues.
Provincial vaccine update
Since the start of immunizations, 699,092 doses of Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and AstraZeneca-SII COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in B.C., 87,289 of which are second doses.
Provincial and federal health officials are working with international partners to monitor vaccine responses. Last week, a safety signal was identified among young people in Europe. Although no instances have been detected in Canada, Dr. Bonnie Henry is taking the precaution of suspending use of the AstraZeneca-SII vaccine for people under age 55 while Health Canada reviews AstraZeneca’s risk-benefit profile.
Dr. Henry said this suspension is an example of our safety system working and she expects to have more information in the next few days.
COVID-19 testing
Anyone in the VCH region with cold, influenza or COVID-19-like symptoms, however mild, can now be assessed for and get a COVID-19 test.
Contact your physician or nurse practitioner’s office, or a local community collection centre to arrange for a test. Phone numbers and locations of collection centres can be found here or by calling 8-1-1.
If you have COVID-19 symptoms, do not show up unexpectedly to the clinic for testing.
- First, complete BC’s COVID-19 Self-Assessment Tool at thrive.health/covid19 to determine if your symptoms could be COVID-19 related.
- Second, call the Community Health Nurse (604-362-9200) for an in-depth assessment over the phone. The nurse can assist with setting up a test if needed.
- Call 8-1-1 (HealthLink BC) if you need to speak with someone outside of clinic hours or are unable to reach the nurse.
Contact Musqueam Health to report potential exposure to COVID-19 and immediately isolate. This includes if you feel ill with mild symptoms or have returned home from ANY recent travel.
