Community exposure events continue — 83 new cases
Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, and Dr. Réka Gustafson, B.C.'s deputy provincial health officer, have issued the following joint statement regarding updates on the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) response in British Columbia: "Today, we are announcing 83 new cases, for a total of 4,677 cases in British Columbia. "There are 775...
Aug. 13 BC COVID-19 update: 78 new cases
Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, and Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.’s provincial health officer, have issued the following joint statement regarding updates on the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) response in British Columbia: “Today, we are announcing 78 new cases, for a total of 4,274 cases in British Columbia. “There are 578 active...
State of emergency extended to continue B.C.’s COVID-19 response
The B.C. government has formally extended the provincial state of emergency, allowing Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, to continue to use extraordinary powers under the Emergency Program Act to support the Province's COVID-19 pandemic response. “In recent weeks, British Columbians have been...
B.C. reports another record-high monthly total of illicit drug deaths in June
The BC Coroners Service has published updated reports on illicit drug toxicity deaths and fentanyl-detected drug deaths for the first six months of 2020, with 175 illicit drug toxicity deaths reported in June. For the second straight month, B.C. is reporting the highest monthly total for deaths due to illicit substances. “For...
Investments mean safer visits at long-term care, seniors’ facilities
The Province is investing in a suite of initiatives to protect long-term care and seniors’ assisted-living residents from COVID-19, as facilities begin allowing visitors. “British Columbians flattened the curve through individual actions and a commitment to look out for each other – our families, friends and neighbours,” said...
BC Chief Coroner speaks to proposed changes to Mental Health Act, particularly vis-a-vis illicit drug deaths
Lisa Lapointe, chief coroner of the BC Coroners Service, has issued the following statement in response to proposed legislative amendments to the Mental Health Act: “Today, the BC Coroners Service became aware of the proposed amendments to the Mental Health Act tabled by Judy Darcy, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions....
B.C. reports highest-ever monthly total of illicit drug deaths in May 2020
The BC Coroners Service has published updated reports on illicit drug toxicity deaths and fentanyl-detected drug deaths to the end of May 2020. The 170 illicit drug toxicity deaths reported in May mark the highest monthly total ever in British Columbia. “It is both sad and deeply frustrating to see the number of illicit drug...
BC overdose emergency worsens with average three+ deaths each day in 2020
The BC Coroners Service has published updated reports on illicit drug toxicity deaths and fentanyl-detected drug deaths to the end of April 2020. The reports show an average of 3.2 illicit drug toxicity deaths per day in the first four months of this year. “We remain in a public health emergency, with more than three British...
B.C. sees more than 60% increase in overdose deaths in the month of March
With as increase in both fatal and non-fatal overdoses, BCCDC is reminding people who use drugs to not use alone. According to data from the BC Coroners’ Service and the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) illicit drug toxicity deaths have increased 61 per cent in March 2020 (113) compared to February 2020 (70). “Now...
Share your experience of COVID-19 to better inform health care planning.
In light of the coronavirus outbreak leading to the current COVID-19 pandemic, a UBC research team in partnership with the BC Rural Health Network has created a brief, anonymous survey to learn from rural and remote BC communities about their experiences and responses to COVID-19. We will use the findings to understand rural...
