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2 more people die from COVID-19 in B.C. but no new health-care or community outbreaks

Click to play video: 'Coronavirus outbreak: Two straight days of new cases in single digits'
Coronavirus outbreak: Two straight days of new cases in single digits
Provincial health officials are reporting two days of new COVID-19 cases in the single digits, but two more deaths. Keith Baldrey has a breakdown of the numbers - and what health officials are saying about the start of phase two of easing restrictions Tuesday – May 18, 2020

Two more people have died of COVID-19 in B.C. in the past 48 hours.

Both people were in long-term care homes, one in the Fraser Health region and one in the Vancouver Coastal Health region.

This brings B.C.’s total to 143 deaths from the novel coronavirus.

Click to play video: 'B.C. health officials announce 16 cases of COVID-19, 2 additional deaths'
B.C. health officials announce 16 cases of COVID-19, 2 additional deaths

Speaking Monday, Dr. Bonnie Henry said 16 more people have been diagnosed with the novel coronavirus from midday Saturday to midday Monday – eight new cases each day.

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Full coverage of coronavirus in B.C.

There are no new community or care home outbreaks in the province. In total, there are 528 people in long-term or acute care homes who have been diagnosed with the virus.

“We continue to have 19 active outbreaks in our health-care system, including 14 in our long-term or assisted living homes and five in acute care units,” Henry said.

The outbreak at the Dufferin Care Centre in Coquitlam has been declared over, Henry added.

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WATCH: Two straight days of cases in single digits. Keith Baldrey reports:

Click to play video: 'Coronavirus outbreak: Two straight days of new cases in single digits'
Coronavirus outbreak: Two straight days of new cases in single digits

There are now 2,444 cases in total in B.C. Eight hundred and eighty-two people are in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, 1,195 are in the Fraser Health region, 126 people on Vancouver Island, 181 in the Interior region and 60 people in the Northern Health region.

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There are 47 people in hospital with 12 in the ICU.

In total, 1,966 people have recovered.

More than 260,000 people have taken the B.C. survey on the COVID-19 response and Henry said they are still hoping more people will take it, especially seniors and those outside major urban centres.

Health Minister Adrian Dix started the briefing Monday by acknowledging the tragic accident in Kamloops Sunday when a Snowbirds plane went down, killing Capt. Jenn Casey.

“What happened yesterday was awful for all involved,” Dix said, thanking the first responders and health-care workers involved in attending the scene and treating Casey and Capt. Richard MacDougall, who sustained serious injuries in the crash.

Click to play video: 'B.C.’s top doctor shares condolences over CF Snowbird crash in Kamloops'
B.C.’s top doctor shares condolences over CF Snowbird crash in Kamloops

Henry became quite emotional when talking about the incident and Casey’s death.

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“This is a loss that will be felt by all of us,” she said. “We stand beside you with our hands on our hearts in sorrow and strength.”

“I think perhaps we might have some solace in knowing that Capt. Casey maybe truly has slipped the surly bonds of earth and is dancing in the skies.”

LATEST GLOBAL BC COVID-19 COVERAGE:

The next update will be on Tuesday at 3 p.m. PT.

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