The B.C. Ministry of Health has reported 98 new test-positive and four epidemiologically linked cases of novel coronavirus in the province since Friday, bringing the total number of cases in B.C. to 3,300.
Between Friday and Saturday, 51 people tested positive for the virus; 19 cases were reported between Saturday and Sunday; and 32 cases were reported in the past 24 hours.
In total, 1,042 of the cases are in the Vancouver Coastal Region, 1,713 in Fraser Health, 142 on Vancouver Island, 280 in Interior Health, 69 in Northern Health region, and 54 people whose residence is outside of Canada.
The number of active cases has increased by 46 to 253 in B.C.
There are a total of 16 people who have been hospitalized with COVID-19, four of whom are in critical care — ICU or acute care units.
No new deaths were reported over the past 72 hours, and the death toll stands at 189 in total.
In good news, a total of 2,858 people have now recovered from novel coronavirus in B.C.
Outbreaks
One health care outbreak was reported on Friday at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver, in which one infant tested positive for the virus.
An ongoing community outbreak at the Krazy Cherry Fruit Co. farm in Oliver, B.C. has had four people test positive for COVID-19. Those who live and work on the farm are under restrictions to limit further transmission.
Further, over 60 people have now tested positive for COVID-19 that are associated with private events and social gatherings in Kelowna.
According to Dr. Henry, most of these individuals were in their 20s and 30s and the uptick in cases can be attributed to social gatherings. She adds that while young people tend to contract a less serious version of the virus, their ability to spread COVID-19 is still very high.
In light of these events, public health officials have been working with representatives in the Okanagan communities to form a plan to slow down transmission in that region.
One COVID-19 case is also attributed with a worker from Alberta at the Site C dam in Northern Health region. That case is currently being monitored and the individual is in isolation.
“We’re probably at 65 to 75 per cent of normal and we run the risk of a rapid rebound in cases,” said Dr. Bonnie Henry.
“We are starting to see an uptick and this is concerning… but it is something that we can make a difference in if we pay attention now,” said Dr. Bonnie Henry.
Dr. Henry also urges people to check the HealthLink BC website for all public alerts about possible exposures to the virus.
Those who may have been exposed are asked to monitor their symptoms, reduce the number of contacts they have, and call 811 to get tested for the virus if they do develop symptoms.
Island Health region
There were six new cases in the Vancouver Island Health region reported since Friday. Thus far, 10 people are reported to have contracted the virus in the region this month.
Data for the region shows that there have been 142 total cases of COVID-19 in the area, five of whom have died, and 127 people have recovered.
This means there are now 10 active cases remaining in the region.
Thus far, there have been 229,293 novel coronavirus tests conducted across B.C., 33,698 of which were done in the Island Health region.
See all the latest updates about the global COVID-19 pandemic on Vancouver Island
The BCCDC has set up a 2019 novel coronavirus telephone information line at 1-833-784-4397 for those who have further questions about this disease.
Anyone concerned that they may have been exposed to, or are experiencing symptoms of the novel coronavirus, should contact their primary care provider, local public health office, or call 8-1-1.
The Province has also created the 1-888-COVID-19 line to connect British Columbians needing non-medical information about the coronavirus pandemic.
As of the time of publication, the total number of COVID-19 patients worldwide has risen to 14,805,998.
Over 611,823 people have died from the illness and 8,872,551 have made a full recovery.
