Friday September 11, 2020 | VICTORIA, BC
by Mary P Brooke, B.Sc., Editor | Island Social Trends
There are now 6,962 test-positive cases of COVID-19 in BC (103 epi-linked), of which 1,461 are active including 49 people in hospital (up from 42 yesterday) which includes 10 people in ICU or acute care (down from 14 yesterday).
Today’s new case count is 132, out of 6,535 tests done in a 24-hour period. That’s about 2.0% of tests finding a positive result (down from 2.4% yesterday).
There were no new deaths in today’s BC Centre for Disease Control statistics, maintaining the COVID mortality total at 213 in BC since the pandemic began.
Age profile:
For the last couple of weeks the highest case count increases have been seen in the working-adult age groups, particularly 20-29 and 30-39 years of age.
Of total cases, the 20 to 39 year age range sees 42.8% of all COVID-19 cases in BC this year, which is consistent with yesterday. Of today’s 132 new cases, almost half (43.2%) are in people ages 20 to 39.
Seniors age 60 to 69 years saw 10 new cases today (up from six yesterday). This age category which is generally still active in the economy comprises 8.3% of COVID cases in BC (same as yesterday).
Children and youth:
In BC since the pandemic began, a total of 542 children and youth (183 in ages 0 to 19 years, and 359 in ages 10 to 19) have tested positive for COVID-19.
There has been a slow but steady uptick in cases among children during the summer and now into September.
Schools started with in-class orientation on Thursday and Friday of this week. Regular classes get underway on Monday September 14.
At the start of the pandemic, health officials were staying that children have an easier time of dealing with COVID-19 infection. But all persons regardless of age can spread the virus, whether or not they have symptoms. Provincial Health Officer Dr Bonnie Henry said this week that the infection can be a serious illness at every age.
BC is now tracking a post-COVID inflammation response in children (called MISC) which indicates a more serious impact of the viral infection with longer term effects. Cases and suspected cases are being reported to the World Health Organization.
Back-to-school:
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, 3,198 people are under active public health monitoring. That’s a continually increasing tally, up from 3,109 yesterday, 3,101 the day before, and 3,063 after the long weekend (and very much up from 2,792 before the long weekend).
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.
So far, 646 people have been hospitalized with COVID-19 in BC (a consistent 9.3% of total cases).
Recovery from COVID-19 is tallied for 5,273 people in BC who have tested positive (i.e. still a matter of 76% of cases, as it was for the previous two 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 are sporadic.
Since the start of the pandemic, there have been 2,419 cases of COVID-19 in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, 3,600 in the Fraser Health region, 190 in the Island Health region, 465 in the Interior Health region, 204 in the Northern Health region and 84 cases of people who reside outside of Canada.
Watch for alerts:
Alerts about outbreaks and public exposures are posted on the BC Centre for Disease Control’s (BCCDC) website, as well as on health authorities’ websites. There you will find details on where a potential exposure occurred and what actions to take — whether you need to self-isolate or monitor for symptoms.
There is one recent listed exposure for flights incoming to Victoria International Airport: a recent domestic Air Canada flight from Toronto to Victoria (Flight #195 on September 5) had a confirmed COVID case exposing people in rows 1 to 4.
Outbreaks:
There has been one new health-care facility outbreak at Evergreen Hamlets long-term care facility. In total, 14 long-term care or assisted-living facilities and three acute-care facilities have active outbreaks.
Vancouver Coastal Health:
- Holy Family long-term care facility (second outbreak)
- Point Grey Private Hospital long-term care facility
- Royal Arch Masonic Home long-term care facility (second outbreak)
Fraser Health:
- Bear Creek Villa independent-living facility
- Cherington Place long-term care facility
- Czorny Alzheimer Centre long-term care facility
- Evergreen Hamlets long-term care facility
- George Derby Centre long-term care facility
- Kin Village assisted-living facility
- Milieu Children and Family Services Society community-living facility
- MSA Manor long-term care facility (second outbreak)
- New Vista Care Home long-term care facility
- Normanna long-term care facility
- Rideau Retirement Centre independent-living facility
Vancouver Island COVID-19 profile:
Out of 596 COVID-19 tests done within Island Health in the last 24 hours, there were three new cases on Vancouver Island (two in ages 20 to 29 years, and the other in ages 70 to 79 years). That brings the total case tally on the island to 190.
Of the total Vancouver Island cases to date, 174 have recovered. Five people have died (no new deaths in many weeks).
Presently 10 people are active cases. There continues to be no one in hospital with COVID-19 within Island Health.
Here is the ‘daily cases’ graph for Vancouver Island. It shows that islanders had the curve pretty well beat in May and June, but during the summer it started heading upward and new cases continue in September:
===== 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