B.C. has recorded 43 new cases of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, while seeing no new deaths as of the afternoon of Friday (April 17).
That brings the total number of active COVID-19 cases in the province to 574, with 119 of those people in hospital – 52 in intensive care.
In the update Friday, B.C. health officials also reported that five outbreaks have been declared as over, lowering the total number of outbreaks at long-term care homes and other facilities to 15.
READ MORE: B.C.’s latest COVID-10 modelling shows restrictions flattening curve
Since January, a total of 1,618 British Columbians have contracted the virus, which has no cure, with 966 people recovering.
A total of 78 people have died.
The newly announced cases come hours after the province released its latest modelling for the virus, which suggested that some social contact restrictions implemented to curb COVID-19’s spread could be eased by the middle of May.
ALSO READ: B.C. could see some COVID-19 restrictions eased by mid-May: Health officials
Health Minister Adrian Dix urged people to continue to follow those restrictions in order to successfully bend the curve.
“We are in the eye of the storm in a Category 5 hurricane. The risk is still very high and there are many unknowns, but we are hopeful that with all of us standing strong, the storm will continue to lessen,” Dix said in a statement.
“What happens next is directly tied to your continued efforts. We still have new cases, new outbreaks and tragically, new deaths. We cannot afford a resurgence that will undo all of the effort and sacrifices we have made so far.”
ALSO READ: As Canada’s COVID-19 case counts slow, deaths climb
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