While today (Sept. 1) is a fresh start on the calendar, COVID-19 numbers in B.C. continue to surge.
In a written statement this afternoon, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix announced 58 more cases in the past 24 hours, with six of those recorded in Northern Health.
The regional authority's total is now at 160. Yesterday (Aug. 31), it stood at 154 cases with 12 additional cases from a three-day reporting period. As of publication (4:30 p.m., Sept. 1), there are 38 active cases with four in hospital and one in ICU.
The province sits at 5,848 positive cases, 1,124 of which are active for a new provincial record. The highest was set yesterday with 1,107.
There are 31 people hospitalized (+3) with 10 of those in critical care (+2) and 4,505 recovered.
Officials announced another death from the virus, updating the toll to 209.
Northern Health adds another 6 for total of 160 COVID-19 cases in B.C. #bcpoli #northernbc #cityofpg #covid19 #covid #bc @PGMatters
— Jess Balzer (@jessicajbalzer) September 1, 2020
There are 1,922 recorded cases in Vancouver Coastal Health, 3,072 in Fraser Health, 175 in Island Health and 440 in the Interior Health region.
“As we transition to the next phase of our COVID-19 pandemic in B.C. and prepare for the respiratory season ahead, it is time for all of us to regroup and refocus our efforts to keep the number of new cases low and slow," Dr. Henry said in the statement.
“We have the knowledge and we have the tools that we can all use to be safe, no matter where we may be."
B.C. COVID-19 update per Dr. Henry (Tues., Sept. 1)
— Jess Balzer (@jessicajbalzer) September 1, 2020
-58 new cases
-5,848 provincial total
-6 new in Northern Health, total now 160
-A total of 1,124 active cases throughout B.C. *NEW RECORD*#bcpoli #northernbc #cityofpg #covid19 #covid #bc @PGMatters
An alert remains in place for the Prespatou region of Northern Health, roughly 100 km north of Fort St. John and 530 km north of Prince George.
On Saturday (Aug. 29), the Nisga'a Valley Health Authority warned its four associated First Nations of a positive COVID-19 case that travelled through its region sometime between Aug. 17 and 28 to attend a funeral.
While no outbreak reported, as a result, local residents who attended events linked to the funeral from Aug. 21 to 25 are asked to self-isolate for 14 days and to monitor their symptoms.
“To be successful, our COVID-19 plan is about all of us to doing our part – our world-leading researchers, our businesses and all of us as individuals," Henry concluded. "It is about protecting our neighbours and our colleagues, as we protect ourselves."
- with files from Kyle Balzer, PrinceGeorgeMatters
