COVID-19 modeling data highlights safe distancing benefits as B.C. reopens

New COVID-19 modelling information highlights the virus-fighting benefits of safe distancing protocols as British Columbia reopens the province while the pandemic progresses.

Students started returning to school this week and the easing of some health restrictions last month allowed the reopening of restaurants, hair salons and personal services, including dentists and physiotherapists.

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says the new data tracking the path of COVID-19 since early January indicate B.C. continues to keep the COVID-19 curve flat after clusters of cases in mid-March.

The modelling shows B.C.'s first cases were primarily linked to people returning from travel in China and Iran, while later cases in March were largely connected to people returning from visits to the United States or other parts of Canada.

Henry said the data also show the geographic locations of current COVID-19 cases are mostly centred in the Fraser Health region east of Vancouver with relatively few cases in B.C.'s north.

She says the province reports nine new COVID-19 cases and no new deaths.

There have been 2,632 COVID-19 cases diagnosed in the province, while 2,265 people have recovered.