With an eye on the respiratory concerns ahead for flu season in a time of COVID, Doctor Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix relayed a range of new information, mixed with some familiar reminders towards our work ahead on COVID.
As is the case daily, the review began with the latest case reports from the last 24 hours.
“Today, we are announcing 165 new cases, including two epi-linked cases, for a total of 7,663 cases in British Columbia.
There are 1,705 active cases of COVID-19 in the province, 2,949 people who are under active public health monitoring as a result of identified exposure to known cases, and 5,719 people who tested positive have recovered.
Currently, 57 individuals are hospitalized with COVID-19, 22 of whom are in intensive care. The remaining people with COVID-19 are recovering at home in self-isolation."
Across the province the breakdown of cases to date is as follows:
2,714 cases of COVID-19 in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, 3,937 in the Fraser Health region, 196 in the Island Health region, 489 in the Interior Health region, 241 in the Northern Health region an increase of four from Wednesday.
86 cases of COVID have been recorded in people who reside outside of Canada.
Dr. Henry and Minister Dix also noted of one new passing in BC from COVID.
“There has been one new COVID-19 related death, for a total of 220 deaths in British Columbia. We offer our condolences to everyone who has lost their loved ones during the COVID-19 pandemic."
Today the two top public health officials made note of new testing procedures in place for students attending school from K-12.
“Containing the spread of the virus in our communities is core to our COVID-19 response and that is why getting tested as soon as you have symptoms is so important.
Today, a new made-in-B.C. sample collection program has been launched for all K-12 students across the province. One of the first of its kind worldwide.
For school-aged children four to 19, a mouth-rinse gargle is now available at COVID-19 collection centres around the province. Unlike the nasopharyngeal swab method, this new saline method doesn’t require a health-care professional to collect the sample.
Taking the step to get tested is how you protect your friends and loved ones, and for K-12 students there is now an easier alternative.
Not only is the new method more comfortable for younger people, a B.C. company will provide the collection tube, reducing the province’s dependency on the global supply chain for this sample method."
Today's statement also put more emphasis on reeling in our circles towards keeping our families safe.
“The compromise to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe also includes seeing fewer friends and family members, for now.
Our small groups need to be the same small groups. Spending time with different friends on different days significantly increases our personal risk and is a continued source of transmission in our province.
So, when planning our activities, whether is a play date for your kids, or a weekend dinner party, ask yourself if the people are part of your ‘safe six’?
The restrictions and precautions are not forever, but they are needed right now. By stepping back now, we can protect those who are most vulnerable and keep the people we care about safe."
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