Monday August 25, 2020 ~ VICTORIA, BC [Updated August 27, 2020]
by Mary P Brooke, B.Sc., Editor | Island Social Trends
There are another 58 test-positive cases today, spread through all age groups in BC, but with most (60.3%) of the new cases occurring in people ages 20 to 39.
The BC Centre for Disease Control (BC CDC) COVID-19 statistics yesterday showed a record one-day tally of 109 cases for Friday-Saturday (Aug 21-22), tailed by 81 cases for Saturday-Sunday (Aug 22-23), and 79 cases for Sunday-Monday (Aug 23-24) for a total announced today as 269 new cases.
The total number of cases of COVID-19 in BC now is 5,242 (of which 64 are epi-linked). There are now 22 people in hospital (up from 18 yesterday) of whom seven are in serious condition in ICU (up from five yesterday).
There are 921 active cases in BC (up from 909 yesterday), while 4,114 people are counted as recovered.
Notably, 2,675 people are currently subject to active daily monitoring by public health due to exposure or potential exposure to known cases of COVID-19 (up from 2,594 yesterday).
Outbreaks:
“There have been two new health-care facility outbreaks, one at Bear Creek Villa and one at Langley Memorial Hospital, both located in the Fraser Health region. In total, 10 long-term care or assisted-living facilities and two acute-care facilities have active outbreaks.
“There are no new community outbreaks, and the outbreak at Fraser Valley Packers Inc. is now over. However, there continue to be community exposure events at other locations and on flights into and out of the province.
Exposures on Vancouver Island:
As reported by Island Health this afternoon, in Sidney there have been two possible COVID-19 exposures:
- 10 Acres Cafe & Market at the Sidney Pier Hotel & Spa (*not* The Pier restaurant), 9805 Seaport Place, on Thursday, August 20 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. and on Friday, August 21 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.
- Mary’s Bleue Moon Cafe, 9535 Canora Road, on Friday, August 21 between 4 p.m. and 9:15 p.m, and on Saturday, August 22 between 9:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. *or* between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m.
If you have been in one of these locations at the times of possible exposure, it does not mean you will develop COVID-19, says Island Health. “The possible exposures listed are believed to be low risk but, out of an abundance of caution, we ask anyone who may have visited any of the locations listed on the specified dates and times to monitor themselves for symptoms.” If you develop symptoms, call 811 to arrange for testing.
There have also been two hair salons in Langford where COVID-19 cases have tested positive, and therefore potential exposure for other.
Those two salons are Chatters in Westshore Town Centre (since reopened) and Twist Hair and Nail Salon at the Bear Mountain Resort (closed to mid-September).
Age profile in COVID stats:
Today’s COVID-19 case stats show an occurrence of cases in all age groups. similar to yesterday. Most test-positive cases for August 25 are seen in the 20-29 and 30-39 age groupings where most of the non-compliant socializing has been taking place.
Find your age in this list of total COVID-19 cases numbers in BC (in brackets are the number of new cases Aug 25):
- Under age 10 years: 126 cases (3)
- 10 to 19 years: 243 cases (4)
- 20 to 29 years: over 1,100* (some portion of 35) / *=dashboard shows 1.1K
- 30 to 39 years: over 1,000* (some portion of 35) / *=dashboard shows 1K
- 49 to 49 years: 739 (9)
- 50 to 59 years: 755 (5)
- 60 to 69 years: 477 (3)
- 70 to 79 years: 334 (1)
- 80 to 89 years: 273 (1)
- 90+ years: 162 (0)
- Tally for age unknown: 42 (this is down by three from yesterday).
Vancouver Island COVID profile:
As of today August 25, there are 168 cases of COVID-19 on Vancouver Island, which is up by two new cases since yesterday.
Those two new cases were — one each — in the under-age-10 category and the 30-39 year age category.
On Vancouver Island since the beginning of the pandemic there have been nine cases among youth and teens (age 10 to 19) — the latest one on August 18 so that person is still in isolation. There have been two cases in children under age 10 — one reported on August 17 and another today August 25 — so both of those kids are still in isolation with COVID-19.
On Vancouver Island, 148 people who tested positive for COVID-19 have recovered. There are now 15 active cases. There have been five deaths (no new deaths on the island for many weeks).
Until last week (August 20 Island Health report) there was a fairly even distribution of COVID cases on Vancouver Island.
With the six new cases (to a total of 166) in Island Health, there is more of an increase in the south and north areas (August 24 Island Health report): 61 have occurred in the south island region, 43 in central, and 62 in the north.
The Island Health report on regional distribution is updated on Mondays or more frequently if new cases are reported.
Generally speaking, the island has held a flattened curve rather well, perhaps due to fewer incoming travellers and possibly due to people actively embracing outdoor activities.
Check alerts online:
Alerts are posted on the BC Centre for Disease Control’s (BCCDC) website, as well as on health authorities’ websites, providing details on where the potential exposures occurred and what actions to take – whether you need to self-isolate or monitor for symptoms.
On Vancouver Island the Island Health website provides those exposure event details (including on airline flights or at airports).
Next BC Health COVID update:
The August 24 update was the 122nd such session for media and the public, since the joint COVID-19 briefings began in January 2020.
The next livestreamed teleconference about COVID-19 by Health Minister Adrian Dix and Provincial Health Officer Dr Bonnie Henry will be on Thursday August 27 at 3 pm.
===== LINKS provided by Ministry of Health:
If you are experiencing symptoms, find a collection centre near you to get tested:
http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/testing (http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/testing)
Find out more about the new enforcement of public health officer orders on events:
https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020PSSG0046-001568
If you have plans this weekend, follow Dr. Bonnie Henry’s Good Times Guide: https://goodtimes.gov.bc.ca/
For mental health and anxiety support, visit: www.bouncebackbc.ca
Or: www.anxietycanada.com
For a listing of the community exposure events, go to:
BCCDC (flights, work sites, etc.): http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/public-exposures
Fraser Health: fraserhealth.ca/covid19exposure
Interior Health: https://news.interiorhealth.ca/news/public-exposures/
Island Health: https://www.islandhealth.ca/learn-about-health/covid-19/outbreaks-and-exposures
Northern Health: https://www.northernhealth.ca/health-topics/outbreaks-and-exposures
Vancouver Coastal: http://www.vch.ca/covid-19/public-exposures
For B.C.’s surgical renewal plan and the first report on its progress from July 21, visit:
https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020HLTH0228-001337
For more information about BC’s Restart Plan, visit: www.gov.bc.ca/restartbc
For the latest medical updates, including case counts, prevention, risks and testing, visit: http://www.bccdc.ca/
Or follow @CDCofBC on Twitter.
For non-health related information, including financial, child care and education supports, travel, transportation and essential service information, visit: www.gov.bc.ca/covid19
Or call 1 888 COVID19 (1 888 268-4319) between 7:30 a.m. and 8 p.m. (Pacific time), seven days a week.
For the latest videos and livestreaming of COVID-19 media availabilities, visit:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/BCProvincialGovernment/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BCGovNews
YouTube: www.youtube.com/ProvinceofBC
