Friday August 28, 2020 ~ VICTORIA, BC
by Mary P Brooke, B.Sc., Editor | Island Social Trends
There are 124 new cases of COVID-19 in BC today (on top of 68 new cases yesterday). That’s the highest number of cases in one day in BC. The COVID-curve is definitely not being flattened at the moment.
Total cases in BC now on August 28 is 5,496 (which includes 70 epi-linked). Of those, 974 are active cases (23 in hospital, and of those seven in ICU), and 4,310 are considered to be recovered.
COVID-19 (and exposure to it) is spreading in BC. Notably, 2,796 people are currently subject to active daily monitoring by public health due to exposure or potential exposure to known cases of COVID-19. That tally is on the increase — today’s 2,796 count of people in self-isolation is up from 2,730 on Wednesday, 2,675 Tuesday and 2,594 at the start of this week.
Living with COVID:
“COVID-19 requires new ways of living our lives with new precautions and routines for ourselves and our families, whether at home, work, school or when spending time with others,” it was stated in a release from Health Minister Adrian Dix and Provincial Health Officer Dr Bonnie Henry.
“This includes keeping our numbers of contacts low, especially at indoor parties and events, whether in a hall or in our own home. We have seen transmission from even small events, and the last thing we want to do is pass COVID-19 to those we are closest to.”
“This weekend, let’s remember to use the layers of protection that keep ourselves and those around us safe. This is also a good time to think about the new routines that will be part of our activities into the fall,” she said.
That has primarily to do with back-to-school which is a huge challenge for families, teachers, support staff and school districts.
“The efforts we make today make the difference for all of us tomorrow, so let’s renew our commitment to doing what we can to keep our province and ourselves safe.”
Regional profile:
Case reports have been increasing during July and August as the economy has reopened and people are enjoying summer social activities.
Of the total COVID cases in BC today (5,496) here is the breakdown by health authority: Since the start of the pandemic, there have been 1,791 cases in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, 2,878 in Fraser Health, 174 in the Island Health region, 433 in Interior Health, 142 in the Northern Health region and 78 cases of people who reside outside of Canada.
Age profile in COVID stats:
The highest number of cases are seen in the 20-29 and 30-39 age groups, but cases counts are also increasing in the 40-49 and 50-59 age groups.
There were increases across all age groupings today, August 28.
Find your age in this list of total COVID-19 cases numbers in BC (in brackets are the number of new cases at Aug 28):
- Under age 10 years: 130
- 10 to 19 years: 260
- 20 to 29 years: 1,165
- 30 to 39 years: 1,060
- 49 to 49 years: 769
- 50 to 59 years: 776
- 60 to 69 years: 490
- 70 to 79 years: 340
- 80 to 89 years: 276
- 90+ years: 164
- Tally for age unknown: 66
Vancouver Island COVID profile:
As of August 28, there are 174 cases of COVID-19 on Vancouver Island, which is up by four cases in two days.
On Vancouver Island since the beginning of the pandemic there have been two cases in children under age 10 — one reported on August 17 and another August 25 — so both of those children are still in isolation with COVID-19.
There have been 10 cases among youth and teens (age 10 to 19) — the latest one in the last day or two, so that person is still in isolation.
On Vancouver Island, 155 people who tested positive for COVID-19 have recovered. There are presently 14 active cases. There have been five deaths from COVID on Vancouver Island (no new deaths on the island for many weeks).
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 travelers and possibly due to people actively embracing outdoor activities. But increases in July and August are trending along with other areas of the province, with cases related to close-proximity in social situations as well as returning from travel to other parts of Canada.
Holding the curve in check:
“Bending the curve not the rules” was the reminder once again from Health Minister Adrian Dix yesterday. He asked again that people “be 100% all in” for stopping the spread of COVID-19.
He asked that each person “use the skills that our public health leaders have taught us, to stop the spread”.
“Physical distancing saves lives,” so simply but powerfully put by Dix on Thursday. He asked people to respect the engineering safeguards (such as plexiglass barriers) and to wear a face mask when the full 2-metre distancing is not possible.
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 27 livestreamed update was the 123rd such session for media and the public, since the joint COVID-19 briefings by Dix and Dr Henry began in January 2020.
Their next livestreamed teleconference about COVID-19 is scheduled for Monday August 31 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
