New virtual mental health supports for COVID-19 on the way
To ensure British Columbians have increased access to vital mental health supports during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Province has announced $5 million to expand existing mental health programs and services and launch new services to support British Columbians. “If you are feeling anxious, stressed, depressed or disconnected...
New spaces secured for vulnerable people to self-isolate
To support British Columbians who need a place to self-isolate and to reduce the spread of COVID-19, the Province is partnering with local governments, non-profits and the hotel industry. So far, more than 900 spaces have been secured at 23 sites including hotels, motels and community centres throughout B.C. “These new spaces...
April 4 BC COVID-19 stats and resources at a glance
The COVID-19 situation in British Columbia is continually evolving and the information below is current as of noon on Saturday, April 4, 2020. Cases: Total confirmed cases in B.C.: 1,203 New cases since April 3, 2020: 29 Hospitalized cases: 149 Intensive care: 68 COVID-19 related deaths: 38 Recovered: 704 Long-term care and...
Enhancing infection prevention, control in seniors' care homes
As part of British Columbia’s emergency novel coronavirus (COVID-19) response plan, the Province is partnering with the BC Care Providers Association (BCCPA) to launch EquipCare BC to help seniors in long-term care and assisted living homes. EquipCare BC is a new program that will provide $10 million to enhance infection...
April 2 COVID-19 update, calling on faith leaders to postpone all in-person gatherings for holidays
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: “We are announcing 55 new cases, for a total of 1,121 cases in British Columbia. “Every health region in British...
BC Principals’ & Vice-Principals’ Association Offers Free BetterEducate Access to BC Teachers
In support of the BC education sector’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the suspension of in-school classes, the BC Principals’ & Vice-Principals’ Association (BCPVPA) is now offering BC teachers free access to the online resource and collaboration platform BetterEducate. Educators at the K-12 level in BC will use...
Province boosts emergency funding supports for students
Students attending British Columbia’s 25 public post-secondary institutions, who are experiencing emergency financial pressures, will benefit from a one-time investment of $3.5 million in emergency financial assistance. “Our government is taking steps to ensure post-secondary students get some emergency support so they can ...
Medical Health Officer issues Order for immediate closure of fitness centres and similar facilities
The Chief Medical Health Officer (MHO) at Interior Health (IH) has issued an order for all fitness centres, gyms, yoga studios, or similar personal training facilities whether indoors or outdoors to close as of April 2, 2020. The Chief MHO has determined that gatherings of people at these facilities constitute close personal...
BCGEU: Poll says strong majority want government to halt rent, mortgage, and utility payments during COVID-19 crisis
The results demonstrate people support new measures to protect them financially: 69 per cent of Canadians expect to lose some income due to the COVID-19 outbreak 72 per cent of Canadians think the Government of Canada should halt all rent, mortgage, and utility payments. 64 per cent think that banks and financial institutions...
COVID-19 Supply Hub connects needed medical supplies to health workers
The Province has partnered with the Digital Technology Supercluster and the Business Council of British Columbia to create the COVID-19 Supply Hub, a made-in-B.C. online platform to co-ordinate, source and expedite medical supplies and personal protective equipment (PPE) for provincial health authorities to support front-line...
