What you need to know about COVID-19 in B.C. on March 12, 2020

THE LATEST IN B.C.:

• British Columbians are advised to avoid all non-essential travel outside of Canada.
• Gatherings of more than 250 people recommended to be cancelled.
• Seven new cases of COVID-19 in confirmed B.C. on Thursday; 53 total across B.C.

What you need to know today

Provincial health authorities in B.C. are recommending against all non-essential travel outside of Canada, including across the border to the United States,in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Anyone who does choose to travel or who is currently abroad and returning in the days ahead should self-isolate for 14 days, provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said Thursday. She is also calling for the cancellationof gatherings of more than 250 people.

The new stringent measures came with the announcement of seven new cases ofof COVID-19 in B.C., bringing the total to 53 confirmed cases across the province includinga second outbreak at a care centre on Vancouver's North Shore.

Hollyburn House, in West Vancouver, has confirmed two cases of COVID-19: a resident and an employee. Both are isolated and being treated. A statement from the home said the employee's case was detected through the centre's screening process, which had been in effect since the weekend.

Health officials have nowtaken the "extraordinary" measure of calling recently retired doctors in the province, asking if they'd be willing and available to come back to work if the current health-care system becomes overwhelmed by COVID-19.

Two more people who tested postive with COVID-19 have now recovered and are no longer believed to be infectious.

Public gatherings and events

Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) is warning people who were at the Pacific Dental Conference in Vancouver on March 6 that one of the attendees has tested positive for COVID-19. More than 14,000 people attended the conference.

VCH said the risk to other participants is extremely low andthe infected patient is now recovering at home.

Several major events across the Lower Mainland have been cancelled or postponed, including theannual Vaisakhi parade in Surrey which typically draws 500,000 people and the Vancouver Sun Run.

Dr. Henry is asking British Columbians to practise social distancing by not getting closer to others than what's necessary. Meanwhile, B.C. faith leaders have been told to keep their services and group gatherings limited.

• What you need to know if you live in B.C. and suspect you have COVID-19
• What we know (and don't know) about the coronavirus outbreak
• Information from the B.C. Centre for Disease Control

Prime minister self-isolates

Nationally, Prime Minister JustinTrudeauand his wife are in self-isolation over COVID-19 concerns, the prime minister's office announced Thursday morning. Sophie Grgoire Trudeau began showing flu-like symptoms after returning from a trip to the United Kingdom.

The prime minister is not experiencing symptoms, but has decided to self-isolate and work from home out of an abundance of cautionwhile his wife's test results are processed.

The coronavirus outbreak is now being called apandemic as of Wednesday, the WHO said, as the number of people infected rose to more than 118,000 in 114 countries, with 4,291 deaths. In the United States, President Donald Trump announced a European travel ban, along with financialrelief for affected workers.

The pandemic showed signs of hurting the entertainment industry, as actors Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson revealed they have tested positive for COVID-19 while shooting a movie in Australia. This weekend's Juno Awards show in Saskatoon has been cancelled, while, in Vancouver, production of the TV show Riverdale was suspended after someone on the set came into contact with a coronaviruspatient.

And the NBAannounced it is postponing all games after a Utah Jazz player was diagnosed with COVID-19.

What's happening elsewhere in Canada

In Canada, public health officials have reported a total of more than 140 cases.

• 59 cases in Ontario, including five listedas recovered.
• 23 cases in Alberta.
• 13 cases in Quebec.
• 1case in Manitoba.
• 1 case in Saskatchewan.
• There is one confirmed case among Canadians quarantined at CFB Trenton.

The Public Health Agency of Canada, which has been assessing risk as the global outbreak progresses, has saidthe risk is low in Canada.

Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada's chief public health officer, said on Twitter that outbreak control measures are meant to slow the spread of the disease, reduce the impact on the health-care system and give hospitals time to prepare. That means that everyone needs to practise good hygiene and protect older people and those with weakened immune systems from exposure.

If you have a COVID-19-related story we should pursue that affects British Columbians, please email us atimpact@cbc.ca