Friday October 9, 2020 | VICTORIA, BC
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 the COVID-19 infectious pandemic that was declared by the World Health Organization (WHO) on March 11.
Most of us are back to regular routines in a ‘new normal’, 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 yesterday.
“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 everything indelibly in2020 indelibly.
“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 10,185 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 11,225 COVID tests in BC there were 119 new cases (1%).
The surge of cases among young adults ages 20 to 39 continued in today’s profile. Together there were 58 new cases in that cluster (up from 53 yesterday, 50 on Wednesday and 45 on Tuesday), or 48.7% of the new cases today.
Dr Henry said 3,180 (+41) people are self-isolating due to exposure to the COVID-19 virus, with BC having now 1,406 (+12) active cases. Now 8,502 (+104) people are said to have recovered from test-positive cases.
Among persons under the age of 19, there were 21 new cases (on top of 21 new cases yesterday) for a total of 973. Of the new cases there were nine in kids under age 10, and 12 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 830 (+2) people have been hospitalized with COVID-19 in BC. That’s maintaining a percentage of 8.2% of test-positive people requiring hospital care during the course of their infection.
Presently there are 68 (-6) people in hospital, with 19 (+2) of those in intensive care or acute care.
Vancouver Island case profile:
Two of the new cases in today’s October 9 COVID stats profile are on Vancouver Island (one is a child under age 10, and the other person is in the 40 to 49 year age group). That was found from among 1,185 tests done in the last 24 hours.
There are presently 15 (+2) active cases on the island. There number of people who have recovered still stands at 204 (same all week, October 5 to 9).
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.
===== Links:
BCCDC’s safer celebrations guidance: http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/social-interactions/safer-celebrations
To learn more about the October 5 modelling presentation, visit:
https://news.gov.bc.ca/files/COVID19_Going_Forward_Oct_2020.pdf
Guidance for Halloween during COVID-19: http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/social-interactions/halloween
To find the provincial health officer’s orders, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/about-bc-s-health-care-system/office-of-the-provincial-health-officer/current-health-topics/covid-19-novel-coronavirus
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
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 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
BACKGROUND on LONG TERM CARE:
Assisted living, long-term care homes, seniors’ rental buildings with COVID-19 outbreaks:
Vancouver Coastal Health
* Banfield Pavilion long-term care facility
* Haro Park Centre long-term care facility (second occurrence)
* Point Grey Private Hospital long-term care facility
Fraser Health
* Chartwell Crescent Gardens long-term care facility
* Cherington Place long-term care facility
* Evergreen Hamlets long-term care facility
* George Derby Centre long-term care facility
* Good Samaritan Delta View Care Centre long-term care facility
* Harrison West at Elim Village long-term care facility
* Kin Village assisted-living facility
* Langley Lodge long-term care facility (third occurrence)
* New Vista Care Home long-term care facility
* Thornebridge Gardens assisted-living facility
* Peace Portal Seniors Village long-term care facility
* White Rock Seniors Village long-term care facility