50 or more new COVID-19 cases in B.C. for the second time in a week

VICTORIA (NEWS 1130 — The province reported 50 or more new COVID-19 cases for the second time in a week Friday, but again no new deaths.

The 53 new cases — three of them epidemiologically linked — follow consecutive days with 47 and bring the provincial total to 3,934. Last Friday, there were 50 new cases.

“There have been no new COVID-19 related deaths, for a total of 195 deaths in British Columbia,” say a release from Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix.

An outbreak was declared at Derby Manor, an independent living facility in Burnaby. Outbreaks are active at four other care homes in the province.

BC #COVID19 update August 7
No deaths (Total deaths: 195)
Total new cases: 53
3 of these epi-linked
(Total: 3,934)

Of all cases
1,167 in VCH (+24)
2,045 FVH (+24)
147 Van Island (+1)
389 Interior (+4)
93 Northern Health (+2)
69 non-residents

(+/-) = change from yesterday

— Lasia Kretzel (@rhymeswpretzel) August 7, 2020

“However, there continue to be community exposure events throughout the province and on flights into and out of British Columbia,” say health officials.

The latest is an international flight from San Francisco to Vancouver International Airport on Aug. 1.

“Alerts are posted on the BC Centre for Disease Control’s website, as well as on health authorities’ websites, providing details on where the potential exposure occurred and what actions you need to take – whether you need to immediately self-isolate, or monitor for symptoms.”

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According to the province, more than 1,500 people in B.C. are self-isolating because they have COVID-19 or have had a high-risk exposure to the virus.

“This is a concern and something we can change,” say health officials.

“In step with our increased interactions comes the need to ensure we are taking the steps to protect ourselves and those around us. We have adapted our activities, put layers of protection in place and safely restarted our province. Now is not the time to relax and let down our guard. Let’s keep our bubbles small, use our layers of protection and give people the space to stay safe.”

Of 386 active cases in B.C., 11 people are in hospital, including four in intensive care. The recovery rate remains 85 per cent.

Cases by health region since the start of the pandemic: 1,167 in Vancouver Coastal; 2,069 in Fraser; 147 in Island; 389 in Interior; 93 in Northern; and 69 cases of people who reside outside of Canada.

“As we see new COVID-19 hot spots emerge and the new cases creep up in every health authority, we have to keep our firewall strong. Like a wildfire, COVID-19 has the potential to rapidly burn out of control and we need to put out these flare-ups,” health officials add.