Tuesday June 9, 2020 ~ BC
by Mary Brooke, B.Sc. ~ West Shore Voice News
In a plea that people keep adhering to public health measures to contain the spread of COVID-19, today Provincial Health Officer Dr Bonnie Henry said “distancing does work, it saves lives”.
She hopes that as people increase their movement that they still adhere to the requirements for physical distancing, frequent hand washing, and staying home and away from others if feeling the least bit unwell. As well, wearing a non-medical mask may help spread droplets of COVID-19 if the prescribed 2-metre distance between people cannot be maintained.
This topic came up again today in light of the fact that people have not been maintaining the expected 2-metre distance in particular during public rallies in the past two weeks.
“The best ways we fight the important causes like anti-racism is in a way that does not add to any risk in our community,” said Dr Henry today.
The breach of physical distancing requirements during anti-racism protests has not been enforced with any warnings or fines. Dr Henry is concerned and is watching for any uptick in test-positive cases of COVID-19 as a result of that activity.
COVID-19 profile in BC at June 9:
The number of COVID-19 cases in BC as of today June 9 is 2,669 (nine of those are new in the last 24 hours, as well as one epidemiologically linked case).
There are 183 active cases of COVID-19 in the province and 2,319 people who tested positive have recovered. Of the total COVID-19 cases, 16 individuals are hospitalized (with four of those in intensive care). The remaining people dealing with COVID-19 infection are recovering at home in self-isolation.
Since the start of the pandemic, there have been 908 test-positive cases of COVID-19 in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, 1,370 in Fraser Health, 130 in the Island Health region, 195 in the Interior Health and 66 in Northern Health.
There have been no new deaths in the last three days from COVID-19. The total of COVID-19 deaths in BC is 167 (data adjusted).
There are now 92 cases among children (36 cases in children up to age 10) and teens (56 cases in youth ages 10 to 19). This total is up by three since yesterday.
“There have been no new health-care facility outbreaks. In total, four long-term care or assisted-living facilities continue to have active outbreaks. There have been no new community outbreaks and public health teams are providing support for the six ongoing community outbreaks.
“While in recent weeks the number of new cases in B.C. has been low, the COVID-19 pandemic is far from over – in British Columbia and around the world,” said Dr Henry today.
Not out of the danger zone yet:
“Low numbers in BC doesn’t mean we’re out of danger with this. We’re making it up as we go,” she said, adding that the number of people limited at mass gatherings (currently 50) could see revision after continued discussion with .
“Our aim is not to achieve herd immunity. COVID-19 is deadly to people, including young people. We (aim to) ensure people have the means to do what they need to do, to remind people of the importance (of doing what they need to do),” said Dr Henry.
She warned that the global case count continues to rise and many regions are facing a resurgence in cases. “Just yesterday was the highest single day for new cases globally. This is concerning for all of us,” she said, adding that COVID-19 has clearly shown us that we are all connected — the virus recognizes no borders.”
She noted that the ban on cross-border travel between Canada and the US presently extends to June 21, 2020.
National and global profile (World Health Organization stats):
For all of Canada at June 9, there are 95,699 cases (642 new), and 7,800 deaths (27 new).
Globally at June 9 there are 7,039,918 cases (108,918 new in last 24 hours) and 404,396 deaths (3,539 new in last 24 hours).