As we noted earlier today, Friday morning offered up a glimpse of some recent modelling and what it may deliver in future weeks towards how the response to COVID is modified.
Friday afternoon, it was back to the more traditional update, with the account of the latest case counts, marked by a positive note of no new deaths to share news on for the day.
“We are announcing 43 new cases, for a total of 1,618 cases of COVID-19 in British Columbia.
Looking at the review for each Health Authority in the province, the data for total cases of the virus was outlined as follows:
680 are in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, 661 are in the Fraser Health region, 94 are in the Island Health region, 150 are in the Interior Health region and 33 are in the Northern Health region, which is one more than was noted on Thursday.
“There have been no new outbreaks in the last day. In total, 20 long-term care and assisted-living facilities, and one acute-care unit have active outbreaks. Outbreaks have been declared over at five facilities, and in review, one facility had been included in error. We have confirmed that the outbreak at Broadway Pentecostal Lodge was an influenza outbreak and not COVID-19. The lodge has been removed from the list.
There are now 63 cases of COVID-19 associated with the Mission Institution federal correctional centre, six of whom are in hospital. Fraser Health officials continue to work with Correction Services Canada to manage this outbreak.
To date, 966 people who had tested positive for COVID-19 have recovered and no longer require isolation."
Dr. Henry also made note as to how the recovery criteria for the Vancouver Health Authority had been updated to more accurately reflect recovery. New methods include consideration for specific patient symptomology. This has resulted in the decrease in patients considered recovered.
“Of the total COVID-19 cases, 119 individuals are hospitalized and 52 of those are in intensive care. The remaining people with COVID-19 are recovering at home in self-isolation."
Much of the focus for the Friday presentation, called back to that of the morning and how the current situation is very much still the height of the storm, with a path towards the future one which will be dictated by how we respond in the current period of time.
“The modelling we released today clearly shows the resiliency and 100% commitment of everyone in B.C. is having a positive impact. We are bending the curve.
People in B.C. have listened and done the right thing. We are grateful for what everyone has done.
We are in the eye of the storm in a Category 5 hurricane. The risk is still very high and there are many unknowns, but we are hopeful that with all of us standing strong, the storm will continue to lessen.
What happens next is directly tied to your continued efforts. We still have new cases, new outbreaks and tragically, new deaths. We cannot afford a resurgence that will undo all of the effort and sacrifices we have made so far.
We all want opportunities for more social connection, but we’re not there yet. To safely ease restrictions, we must be thoughtful and careful in our approach. As we look ahead, we need to find the right balance. That is even more challenging because of the nature of the COVID-19 virus.
Our new normal in the months ahead will be a modification of what we are doing now. The physical distancing measures, staying home if you are ill and following good hand hygiene will continue. And, it is vital that we continue to show care and compassion for those around us.
The standards for essential businesses today will be the template as we move forward. Clear parameters will be given, and we will connect with individual sectors to determine how best to work within the requirements."
You can review the full statement from Friday here.
The BC Centre for Disease control has some valuable Coronavirus notes related to COVID-19 you can explore that information here.
Federal Government site
British Columbia Government site
The World Health Organization website also offers up the latest advisories on the global situation.
More from Northern Health can be reviewed here
You can review our archive of past statements and local information here.
Local governments and organizations have also provided for increased awareness of COVID-19 issues, the string of statements that came quickly at the end of the week can be reviewed here.
For notes from across Canada and British Columbia we have been archiving the latest items through our political portal Darcy McGee
Ottawa Observations
Victoria Viewpoints
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