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B.C. adds another 83 COVID-19 cases, three more found in Northern Health

There are now 775 active cases in B.C.
Jess Balzer
Jess Balzer
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B.C. Minister of Health Adrian Dix and Deputy Provincial Health Officer Dr. Reka Gustafson. (via Government of BC Flickr)

The trend is continuing and it doesn't look like it will slow down anytime soon. 

B.C.'s Deputy Provincial Health Officer Dr. Réka Gustafson and Minister of Health Adrian Dix announced today (Aug. 18) 83 more COVID-19 cases have been discovered in the past day for a provincial total of 4,677.

“To support public health teams throughout our province and protect the people we care about most, we have to take the time to assess the risks before we spend time with others," officials said in a written statement. 

"The effort is small, but the benefits are immense."

This past Friday to Saturday marked the largest single-day case count since the pandemic began with 100 cases being recorded. Over that same span, Northern Health added 10 more positive cases for a new total of 117.

Today, the authority has added three more cases for a total of 120. There are currently 20 active cases throughout the north.

Yesterday (Aug. 17), Northern Health issued an alert for the northeast section of its jurisdiction after finding 17 positive COVID-19 cases stemming from an Alberta prayer and worship gathering between July 30 and Aug. 2.

"Given the location of the event, it is most likely that residents of northeast B.C. may have been in attendance, or had contact with attendees. Northeast B.C. residents are strongly encouraged to self-monitor, and self-isolate and seek testing if they have any COVID-19 symptoms."

The case data for the event includes some numbers reported yesterday and today but are as follows: 

  • 22 cases total
  • 13 considered primary exposure (attended event)
  • 9 are active (13 have recovered)
  • 25-30 close contacts are currently self-isolating/ being monitored by public health

Officials announced there have been no new deaths from the virus, keeping the fatality rate at 198.

Among B.C.'s cases, 775 are active, six people are in hospital, four are in intensive care and 3,704 have fully recovered (79 per cent).

Currently, there are 2,326 people under active public health monitoring as a result of identified exposure to known cases.

There have been 1,447 recorded cases in Vancouver Coastal Health, 2,473 in Fraser Health, 156 in the Island Health region, 407 in Interior Health and 74 cases related to people who live outside of Canada.  

“We need every new case of COVID-19 to be identified, traced and contained as quickly as possible to keep our curve where we need it to be,"  the joint statement reads. Public health teams are actively working in our communities, and all of us also have an important role to play."

"The COVID-19 pandemic has meant that we have to think about new things and do things we have never done before. This can be challenging, but we can all take confidence in knowing that by doing our part, we can keep ourselves and those around us safe."

There are outbreaks at the following long-term and assisted living facilities: 

VANCOUVER COASTAL HEALTH

  • Arbutus Care Centre long-term care facility
  • Holy Family Hospital long-term care facility
  • Richmond Lions Manor long-term care facility

FRASER HEALTH

  • Czorny Alzheimer Centre long-term care facility
  • Dania Home long-term care facility
  • Derby Manor long-term care facility
  • George Derby Centre long-term care facility
  • Maple Ridge Seniors Village assisted living facility
  • New Vista Care Home long-term care facility