The number of British Columbians suffering with COVID-19 infections has reached a record number for the seventh consecutive day, with the B.C. government on September 4 announcing that 1,233 people are battling the disease that has spawned a global pandemic.
Provincial health officer Bonnie Henry yesterday explained that the spike in recent cases and active infections has come thanks largely to younger people becoming infected. Since yesterday, 121 new infections have been confirmed, meaning 6,162 cases of the virus have been detected in the province since January 28, when the virus was first detected in the province.
Hospitalizations have dipped by three to 31, although there are now 12 of those patients in intensive care units – one more than yesterday. The vast majority of those infected are self-isolating at home.
One person has newly died from the virus, pushing the province's death toll from the disease up to 211.
Another 4,706 people who had been infected have recovered. Information is not available on whether 12 infected people recovered or died, with one potential reason being that they could have been non-British Columbians who left the province.
Health officials this week have been testing about 4,000 to 5,000 people per day – up about 20% from last week, Henry said yesterday.
The breakdown of all COVID-19 infections in the province by health region is:
• 2,077 in Vancouver Coastal Health (up 65);
• 3,201 in Fraser Health (up 46);
• 180 in Island Health (up two);
• 451 in Interior Health (up one);
• 174 in Northern Health (up seven); and
• 79 people who reside outside Canada (no change).
While the virus has impacted all parts of B.C., and there have been significant outbreaks in areas such as Kelowna, Henry said yesterday that the "focus, really, of the outbreak now has returned to the Lower Mainland, where the majority of cases are."
This held true today, as 91%, or 111 of the 121 new cases, are in the Vancouver Coastal Health or Fraser Health regions.
Active outbreaks remain in two acute-care facilities: Surrey Memorial Hospital and New Westminster's Queen's Park Care Centre.
One new outbreak at a seniors' home was announced this morning: at the KinVillage home in Tsawwassen.
This is in addition to two such homes with outbreaks announced yesterday: Cherington Place seniors' living facility in Surrey and at Point Grey Private Hospital in Vancouver.
Other seniors' homes with active outbreaks include:
•Czorny Alzheimer Centre in Surrey;
•Normanna Living in Burnaby;
•Derby Manor in Burnaby;
•George Derby Centre in Burnaby;
•New Vista Care Home in Burnaby;
•MSA Manor long-term care facility in Abbotsford (second outbreak); and
•Bear Creek Villa in Surrey.
"COVID-19 continues to affect our province and this long weekend is no different. Whether you're celebrating the Canucks game tonight or meeting friends for a barbecue or camping, let's make it a safe, small-group long weekend," Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix said in a joint statement.
"Get outside this weekend and enjoy your time with friends and family and outdoor activities, while protecting the more vulnerable around you."
