BREAKING: Usage rate of protective equipment in B.C.’s facilities ‘much higher than expected’: provincial health officer

The usage rate of protective equipment in B.C.'s healthcare facilities has been higher than expected, said the province top doctor.

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry made the announcement during her daily press conference today, March 25.

"The burn rate (of personal protective equipment) is much higher than we would have expected," Henry said, adding the situation was currently in a "critical phase."

Henry said the province was looking at alternative supplies from around the world and the province was implementing different strategies to deal with the situation.

She also announced there are 42 new COVID-19 cases in B.C. today, taking the total number across the province to 659.

Within Interior Health's region's there are five new cases since yesterday. More than 550 COVID-19 cases are located in the Lower Mainland.

Henry said the numbers being seen today come from people who were exposed two to 14 days ago.

"All of the measures that we are doing… we are not going to see the impact of that until next week," she said.

Henry also announced another long term care centre in the Lower Mainland has been affected, with a staff member at the Broadway Pentecostal Lodge in Vancouver having COVID-19. There are currently nine long term health facilities dealing with COVID-19 outbreaks.

Henry said 64 people with COVID-19 are currently in hospital with 26 of those in intensive care. The doctor said 183 have so far recovered from the illness.

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