B.C.’s top doctor says health officials have noticed a ‘turning point’ in people who are recovering from COVID-19.

Dr. Bonnie Henry says it is important that people – especially those recovering at home – know when to reach out for medical help. She made those comments as two of the 48 people in the province who died of COVID-19, have died at home, including a man in his 40’s in the Fraser Health area.

“We have been learning there’s a critical period of time, usually in the second week, around day five to day ten,” she said on Wednesday. “We see that with for example the Prime Minister in the U.K., in Britain. Some people will just be getting better and be getting fine, other people will very quickly go downhill”

Henry says health officials do check in daily with COVID-19 patients who are recovering at home. She was asked if the province needs to change its strategy.

“If you have concerns about shortness of breath, if you have concerns if you fever or your feeling unwell is not resolving, particularly after five to six to seven days, call 811,” noted Henry.

“Call 911 if you can’t breath or if you have chest pain. It is important that people know that these are signs that you need to seek additional help.”

She says health officials in B.C., Canada, and around the world are still learning about the COVID-19 virus.

“We’re looking through all of what we’re doing to support people who are self-isolating at home, trying to make sure that if there are risk factors as we are learning about this virus, [we learn about] how it affects people,” Henry noted.