'No half measures or exceptions' in fight against COVID-19 as B.C. announces 24 new cases, 3 more deaths

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced three new deaths and 24new cases of COVID-19 in the province at her daily briefing Thursday.

The numbers arethe first update since Tuesday, after officials took the day offon Canada Day. Therewere fifteen cases between the Tuesday and Wednesday reporting period, and nine more yesterday.

A total of 2,940 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in B.C. to date, including 177 people who have died. There are 160 active cases of the virus in the province. Seventeenpeople are in hospital, including twoin intensive care.

Henry reiterated the need for continued physical distancing and the use of measures like non-medical masks and 14-day quarantine for incoming travellers as the province unfolds the third phase of its restart plan.

"There can be no half measures or exceptions when it comes to COVID-19," Henry said."Like every aspect of our restart plan, we have to move slowly."

Concerns around airline travel

Health Minister Adrian Dix responded to concerns around air travel, especially following news thatpassengers on four recent flights into Vancouver International Airportcould have been exposedto COVID-19.

Both Air Canada and WestJet ended their in-flight distancing policies as of July 1, something Dixexpressed concern about earlier this week.

Dix said if physical distancing is not possible, passengers need to be extra vigilant about all other safety measures, like wearing a mask, washing hands frequently, and not touching your face.

"Everybody that goes on an airplane should be conscientious about following all the other rules," he said.

Henry said airlines and passengers have to befastidious about not allowing people with symptoms on aircraft, and airlines should work more closely with public health officials to make sure contact tracing is done quickly and efficiently.

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