Thursday October 8, 2020 | VICTORIA, BC [Updated October 9, 2020]
by Mary P Brooke, B.Sc. | Island Social Trends
We all figured the day would come, but now that the number of COVID-19 cases in BC has surpassed 10,000 it really hits home a point. We are living with a pandemic (so far for 254 days since the pandemic was declared by the World Health Organization on March 11, 2020).
Most of us are back to regular routines, but in ways that are forever-altered socially (at least for a year or two it seems now) and economically (even longer).
“We have the tools and resources to protect ourselves and our loved ones while COVID-19 is with us this winter and fall,” said Provincial Health Officer Dr Bonnie Henry today. She added that a tally of over 10,000 cases gives us pause, to think about the impact of this virus which she described as “significant across the province”.
“We know what to do at home, at work and in our communities each day. We also have the information we need to ensure our social connections and celebrations are safe,” she said on this Thursday ahead of the Thanksgiving long weekend.
Big thanks, small gatherings:
“Let’s make this Thanksgiving weekend one of gratitude and kindness by staying local and connecting with each other in a way that doesn’t put those we care about at risk,” said the now infamous Dr Henry. She is known BC-wide, Canada-wide, and world-wide for her calm sage advice through the pandemic that has coloured 2020 indelibly in every way.
“Support your family by keeping your celebration dinner small, support your friends and neighbours by always giving them the space to stay safe, and support our public health teams by paying attention to how you are feeling and always staying home if you are feeling ill,” she said.
Dr Henry adds: “What we do today and every day makes a difference, so let’s continue to all do our part.”
BC data profile:
There have been 10,066 COVID cases in BC during this year to date, as tallied by the BC Centre for Disease Control. In the last 24 hours, out of 12,162 COVID tests in BC there were 110 new cases (< 1%).
The surge of cases among young adults ages 20 to 39 continued in today’s profile. Together there were 53 new cases in that cluster (up from 50 yesterday and 45 on Tuesday), or 48.1% of the new cases today.
Dr Henry said 3,139 (people are self-isolating due to exposure to the COVID-19 virus, with BC having now 1,394 (+7) active cases. Now 8,398 (+102) people are said to have recovered from test-positive cases.
Among persons under the age of 19, there were 21 new cases (up from 10 new cases yesterday), and a total of 952 cases to date; there were five new cases in kids under age 10, and 16 in youth of ages 10 to 19.
There was one new death in today’s COVID stats. Total now 245 for this year in BC (median age 85 years).
Hospitalizations:
To date 828 people have been hospitalized with COVID-19 in BC (up from 819 yesterday). That’s maintaining a percentage of 8.2% of test-positive people requiring hospital care during the course of their infection.
Presently there are 76 (+4) people in hospital, with 17 (+2) of those in intensive care or acute care.
Vancouver Island case profile:
One of the new cases in today’s October 8 COVID stats profile is on Vancouver Island (someone in the 40 to 49 year age group). That was found from 1,085 tests done.
There are presently 13 (+1) active cases on the island. No change in the number of people who had tested positive and have now recovered, that’s at 204 (same as yesterday).
As of October 6 (Island Health stats) there have been 221 cases on Vancouver Island to date this year due to COVID-19, with 84 of those in the south, 67 central, and 70 in north Vancouver Island.
To date on Vancouver Island there have been six COVID deaths, the most recent one was announced on September 28.
