There are now 3,362 cases of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in B.C. after health officials announced 34 new cases Wednesday.
Three of these cases are epidemiologically linked.
Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry reports that there are 1,049 cases in Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH), 1,742 in Fraser Health, 141 on Vancouver Island, 304 in Interior Health and 69 in Northern Health.
Additionally, there have been 57 cases of COVID-19 in B.C. of people who reside outside of Canada.
There have been no new health-care facility outbreaks. In total, one long-term care or assisted-living facilities and two acute-care facilities have active outbreaks.
Last week, a newborn intensive care unit at a Vancouver hospital is the site of the latest COVID-19 outbreak in the city.
Vancouver Coastal Health, which administers health care services for much of Greater Vancouver region and the inner south and central coasts, issued a notice about the outbreak Thursday.
The outbreak covers the neo-natal intensive care unit at St. Paul's hospital in downtown Vancouver.
There are several community exposure events and one active community outbreak. Public health teams are actively contact tracing and requesting the assistance of anyone who may have been exposed to monitor themselves closely and follow public health guidance.
There have been no new COVID-19 related deaths, for a total of 189 fatalities in the province.
Of the total COVID-19 cases, 17 individuals are hospitalized, three of whom are in intensive care. The remaining people with COVID-19 are recovering at home in self-isolation.
There are 285 active cases of COVID-19 in the province and 2,888 people who tested positive for COVID-19 have recovered.
“Many of the new cases are a result of community transmission from an increase in social interactions this summer. This trend is a concern, but we can turn this trend around," said Henry. “We are in a very different place than where we were in March, and everyone in B.C. has proven that we know what it takes to flatten our curve and make sure our communities stay safe.
“We can stop transmission by seeing fewer people, only spending time with people we know, keeping a safe distance from others and using a mask when that is difficult. Let’s continue to follow these rules for safe social interactions.
“We also need to support contact tracing efforts by paying attention to where we go and who we see, and always, without exception, staying home if we are feeling at all unwell.
“The recent community cases have meant that some restaurants, wineries and recreational facilities in the Okanagan and Lower Mainland have been notified of a potential exposure with some employees, or have had employees who are confirmed positive for COVID-19.
“We commend the businesses who have proactively notified the public and temporarily closed for additional cleaning. This is a clear example of how we can contain the risk when it is known, slow the spread and continue to operate safely.
“Let’s play safe and stay safe, and make sure COVID-19 doesn’t spoil our summer. Let’s put out these hot spots and keep our firewall strong.”
Live conference more to come.
- With files from the Canadian Press.
