Wednesday October 7, 2020 | VICTORIA, BC
by Mary P Brooke, B.Sc. | Island Social Trends
In the last 24 hours, out of 6,766 COVID tests in BC there were 115 new cases (1.7%). That’s on par with the number of average daily cases in recent days. There have been 9,956 COVID cases in BC during this year to date.
The surge of cases among young adults ages 20 to 39 continued in today’s profile. Together there were 50 new cases in that cluster (up from 45 yesterday), or 43.4% of the new cases.
Provincial Health Officer Dr Bonnie Henry said in a statement that 3,042 (-57) people are self-isolating due to exposure to the COVID-19 virus, with BC having now 1,387 (+3) active cases. Now 8296 (+112) people are said to have recovered from test-positive cases.
Among youth under the age of 19, there were 10 more cases in the last day (down from 14 yesterday)… there were four cases in kids under age 10, and six in youth ages 10 to 19.
No new deaths in today’s COVID stats. Total still at 244 for this year in BC (median age 85 years).
Hospitalizations:
So far 819 people have been hospitalized with COVID-19 in BC (up from 809 yesterday). That’s maintaining a percentage of 8.2% of test-positive people requiring hospital care during the course of their infection.
Presently there are 72 (+1) people in hospital, with 15 (-1) of those in intensive care or acute care.
“While the number of overall cases has risen, we have fewer hospitalizations than in the spring,” said Dr Henry yesterday. “This is in part because many of the recent cases of COVID-19 are those who are younger and, as a result, less susceptible to severe illness.”
Big thanks, small gatherings:
“As we come up to Thanksgiving this weekend, it’s important to remember while many things have changed and we have faced many challenges, we still have much to be thankful for,” said Dr Henry in a written statement today.
“Let’s show our gratitude by doing a small kindness for a friend, neighbour or family member. Reaching out virtually or by phone, helping with a small task or sending a care package tells people in your life and community that you care. We’re all in this together, and we have come this far by supporting each other while staying apart,” she said.
Spoken with the care one expects of a doctor — who has taken the entire province under her wing, Dr Henry adds: “Kindness counts. What we do today directly influences the well-being of our communities tomorrow. So let’s continue to do our part to protect ourselves and each other — each day and every day.”
Vancouver Island case profile:
One of the new cases in today’s October 7 COVID stats profile is on Vancouver Island (someone in the 30 to 39 year age group). That was found from 1,035 tests done.
There are presently 12 (+1) active cases on the island. No change in the number of people who had tested positive and have now recovered, that’s at 204 (same as yesterday).
As of October 6 there have been 221 cases on Vancouver Island to date this year due to COVID-19, with 84 of those in the south, 67 central, and 70 in north Vancouver Island.
To date on Vancouver Island there have been six COVID deaths, the most recent was announced on September 28.
