Sunday June 28, 2020 ~ GLOBAL, NATIONAL and BC
by Mary Brooke, B.Sc., editor ~ West Shore Voice News
A record number of new test-positive COVID-19 cases have been reported globally in the last 24 hours. On June 28, the World Health Organization reported 189,077 cases. Several countries reported on their highest number of new cases in a 24-hour period.
The total COVID-19 global case count is 9,843,073 at June 28 and showing 495,760 deaths (4,612 in the last day).
WHO Director General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in his June 24 media briefing that “Even as we continue research into vaccines and therapeutics we have an urgent responsibility to do everything we can with the tools we have now to suppress transmission and save lives.”
Those measures include the public health measures that are proving to help countries ‘flatten the curve’, such as physical distancing, frequent hand washing, staying home if you’re not feeling well, and maintaining attentive social bubbles.
Neighbours to the south:
The United States has nearly reached 2.5 million cases (2,452,048 on June 28), with 44,458 of those new in the last 24 hours. In the US there have been 124,811 deaths (650 news in the last day).
Hotspots for high case counts this past week in the USA have included California, Texas and Florida. Some reopening of the economy (such as bars and nightclubs in Florida) is now seen to have been happening too soon, contributing to case counts.
The border between the USA and Canada is presently mutually closed to July 21, 2020.
Canada and BC profiles:
Canada’s tally at June 28 shows 102,794 cases (172 new in the last day), and 8,508 deaths (four new in the last day — this being Sunday, that figure may be lower than actual for the day due to reporting pushed to Monday).
In BC as of the last published tally on Friday June 26, stats from the BC Centre for Disease Control show 2,878 total cases (10 new from Thursday to Friday), and 174 deaths.
On Vancouver Island the total number of test-positive cases is 131 since the beginning of the pandemic in BC (no new cases on Friday), and five deaths.
Factors that could increase COVID-19 case counts in Canada:
Reopening of the economy — for the sake of economic survival for companies and their employees — as well as travel, will likely contribute to an increase in cases across Canada this summer.
Travel around BC and among provinces is now opening up (Destination BC is now launching their #ExploreBC campaign).
Some regions in Canada are creating a bubble (such as the four Atlantic provinces working together as a unit during their reopening).
While mass gatherings (over 50 people) are still not allowed in BC, more people are out mingling in the community at restaurants, stores, parks, day camps, recreation centres, and various other activities. This is likely to spark new cases of COVID-19. Maintaining fast and efficient contact tracing is key to keeping case numbers under control, said BC Provincial Health Officer Dr Henry this past week.
As well, general overall fatigue with doing the various public health measures (such as physical distancing, being cautious of touching high-touch surfaces, frequent hand washing, remembering not to touch one’s face, and calculating the risk management of social bubbles) is leading to some or many people letting their guard down, or even complacency.
As Health Minister Adrian Dix said this week, every decision we make will make a difference as to COVID-19 outcomes. He continues to ask for people to “remain 100 percent all in” with their adherence to physical distancing and the other measures.
