There's no slowdown in B.C.'s COVID-19 numbers.
In a written statement this afternoon (Sept. 16), Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix announced 122 new COVID-19 cases discovered in the past day, bringing the province's total to 7,498.
Northern Health broke its single-day case-count record with 12 of those new cases for an updated total of 237 since March.
Fortunately, for a second straight day, Dr. Henry announced no new deaths, which keeps the toll at 219 across B.C. with one in the north as of Monday (Sept. 14).
There are two listed exposure events listed by Northern Health that remain in effect:
- It Is Time Canada religious gathering = Deadwood, Alta. (July 30-Aug. 2)
- Prespatou region = No address (Month of August)
Haida Gwaii has recorded the only COVID-19 community outbreak in northern B.C. thus far, which was declared over on Aug. 28.
There are 1,614 active cases in B.C. with 60 currently in hospital and 23 in ICU, while 5,646 have recovered (75 per cent).
Dr. Henry adds there are 2,966 people who are under active public health monitoring as a result of identified exposure to known cases.
Health officials have also announced information about schools with COVID-19 cases and/or exposure in the province that can be found on the BC Centre for Disease Control's (BCCDC) website.
As of publication (Sept. 16 at 3 p.m.), the following schools have been listed, all in Fraser Health:
- SD37
- Delta Secondary School - Exposure - Sept. 11, 2020
- SD36
- Johnson Heights Secondary - Exposure - Sept. 8-11, 2020
- Khalsa School (Old Yale Road location) - Exposure - Sept. 1 and 4, 2020
- Panorama Ridge Secondary - Exposure - Sept. 8, 2020
- Sullivan Heights Secondary - Exposure - Sept. 8, 2020
- William Watson Elementary - Exposure - Sept. 10, 2020
There have been 122 new COVID-19 cases discovered in the past 24 hours in B.C. Northern Health has 12 of those for new total of 237. There are 60 in hospital and 23 of them in ICU. Officials add 0 new deaths w/ total staying at 219 #bcpoli #covid19bc #cityofpg @PGMatters
— Jess Balzer (@jessicajbalzer) September 16, 2020
“As we work to support each other, one of the biggest concerns with COVID-19 is the unidentified spread of the virus in our communities," Henry said in a release, saying its important at this time to consider getting tested if you're experiencing symptoms for the virus.
“With the knowledge of new cases or clusters, public health teams can quickly complete contact tracing, notify those who may be exposed and more importantly, contain the further spread," she explained.
“Rather, we need to show compassion and care, not judgment, when there is a new case in our community."
Henry also says large gatherings have been a steady source of transmission of the virus, but smaller gatherings have also been largely responsible in the last couple of weeks.
“Let’s not forget that if we are close enough, doing enough and with enough different people, the likelihood of transmitting the virus significantly goes up. That is why it is so important to make our social interactions a ‘small and safe six,’ keeping to our immediate households and the same close friends only."
There have been 2,660 recorded cases in Vancouver Coastal Health, 3,835 in Fraser Health, 195 in Island Health and 485 in the Interior Health region.
There have been 85 cases of people that live outside of the country.
- with files from Kyle Balzer, PrinceGeorgeMatters
William Watson Elementary. All events listed as 'Exposure.' The information does not say if the cases are staff and/or students at this time. Fraser Health is the only health authority currently listed with COVID-19 exposures 2/3
— Jess Balzer (@jessicajbalzer) September 16, 2020
