Wednesday September 16, 2020 | VICTORIA, BC
by Mary P Brooke, B.Sc., editor | Island Social Trends
There are now 7,498 test-positive cases of COVID-19 in BC (113 epi-linked), of which 1,614 are active including 60 people in hospital (down from 63 yesterday) which includes now 23 people in ICU or acute care (down from 20 yesterday).
Today’s new case count of 122 is back in the over-100-per-day range that we saw all of last week in BC.
There were no deaths from COVID-19 reported today; the total remains at 219 in BC.
Age profile:
For the last couple of weeks the highest case count increases have occurred in the working-adult age groups, notably 20-29 and 30-39 years of age.
Of total cases reported today, the 20 to 39 year age ranges together continue to comprise 42.9% of all COVID-19 cases in BC to date. Of the 122 new cases reported today, 57 (46.7%) are in people ages 20 to 39 (that’s up from 40% yesterday).
The 21 cases in the 40-49 and 50-59 age groups together comprise 17.2% of today’s new cases.
Seniors of ages 60 to 69 saw 10 new cases over the last 24 hours. This age category — people who are generally still active in the economy — in total has consistently comprised 8.3% of all COVID cases in BC for about the last two weeks.
Children and youth:
In BC since the pandemic began, a total of 593 children and youth (200 in ages newborn to 10 years, and 393 in ages 10 to 19) have tested positive for COVID-19.
There has been a slow but steady uptick in cases among children each day during the summer and now also in September.
COVID-19 outbreaks in schools:
Today Provincial Health Officer Dr Bonnie Henry released in a statement that school notification pages will be provided on health authority websites.
So far, the Fraser Health Authority has launched their school exposures page.
On those pages, parents and others will be able to check for the outbreaks, clusters and exposures for schools in their area.
Public health says they are prepared for handling any cases or outbreaks that are likely to occur in schools. Today Dr Henry cited how public health has in the past responded efficiently to measles and meningitis in schools.
People are, meanwhile, asked to pull back on social interactions beyond their small bubbles of family and friends, to compensate for exposure to the family through their children in schools.
If you’re exposed, you’re under watch:
As a result of identified exposure to known cases, 2,966 people are under active public health monitoring. That’s a daily number consistent with the past week or two.
Being under public health surveillance may sound relatively benign. But it means that public health officials are ‘in your face’. They check up daily on symptoms and making sure the people in this group stay isolated.
These exposed people are likely to be missing out on work or school or time with family and friends, with all the associated economic and social impacts.
Hospitalization & recovery:
To date, 679 people have been hospitalized with COVID-19 in BC (9.0% of total cases). Today 60 people are in hospital (23 of those in intensive care).
Recovery from COVID-19 is tallied as 5,548 people in BC who have tested positive (i.e. 75.2% of cases which is fairly consistent with previous days).
Regional COVID impact:
Most COVID-19 cases have occurred and still occur in the Lower Mainland area of BC. A low number of new cases on Vancouver Island occur sporadically (none today).
Vancouver Island COVID-19 profile:
There were 503 COVID-19 tests done within Island Health in the last 24 hours, uncovering no new cases. The total number of cases remains at 195 (191 test-positive and 4 epi-linked).
Of the total Vancouver Island cases to date, 179 have recovered. Five people have died on Vancouver Island during the pandemic (no new deaths in many weeks).
Presently 11 people are still active for COVID-19 on Vancouver Island, with no one in hospital.
===== LINKS (provided by government):
For the latest modelling information presented on Sept. 3, visit:
https://news.gov.bc.ca/files/COVID19_Going_Forward_Sept_2020.pdf
To see a map of COVID-19 cases by local health area, visit:
http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/data
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
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 the second monthly progress report on B.C.’s surgical renewal plan, visit:
https://news.gov.bc.ca/files/2020_surgical-renewal-commitment-progress-report-June-July-2020.pdf (http://https://news.gov.bc.ca/files/2020_surgical-renewal-commitment-progress-report-June-July-2020.pdf)
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
