Monday September 14, 202 | VICTORIA, BC
by Mary P Brooke, B.Sc., editor | Island Social Trends
There are now 7,279 test-positive cases of COVID-19 in BC (107 epi-linked), of which 1,954 are active including 58 people in hospital (up from 49 before the weekend) which includes now 16 people in ICU or acute care (up from 10 on Friday).
Today’s new case count covers three days of cases — from Friday September 11 to Saturday September 12 (137 cases), from Saturday to Sunday (119 cases) and from Sunday to today (61 cases). That clearly continues the BC trend of over 100 cases per day.
There were six more deaths from COVID-19 over the last three days, for a total of 219 deaths in BC. Five of those deaths were in long-term care facilities in the Lower Mainland, and one was a woman in her 70s in the Northern Health region who died in hospital.
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 on September 14, the 20 to 39 year age ranges together comprise 42.9% of all COVID-19 cases in BC to date. That’s consistent with the last several reports. Of the 317 new cases reported today, almost half (44.8%) are in people ages 20 to 39.
Seniors age 60 to 69 years saw 25 new cases over the last three days. This age category which is generally still active in the economy comprises 8.3% of COVID cases in BC (same as Thursday and Friday last week).
Children and youth:
In BC since the pandemic began, a total of 574 children and youth (195 in ages 0 to 19 years, and 379 in ages 10 to 19) have tested positive for COVID-19.
There was a slow but steady uptick in cases among children each day during the summer and now also in September.
Regular classes in schools got underway today Monday September 14 across BC. It was projected by school districts that 80 percent of students would return to attend in-class.
However, today there was still an over-the-top 10+ Air Quality Health Index rating which meant that windows would not be opened in classrooms due to air toxicity, which goes against the COVID-19 prevention recommendation to keep windows open as much as possible.
Today Provincial Health Officer Dr Bonnie Henry said that some schools have HVAC or air filtration systems. That is likely not too many of the schools.
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.
Concerned:
Yes of course Dr Henry and Health Minister Dix are concerned about the continuing case count. Overlay on top of that the smoky skies that have lasted almost a week now, and will continue for a few more days.
Minister Dix repeated his messaging about sticking to the program and being 100 percent all in against COVID-19. That means continued to be attentive about physical distancing, hand washing, keeping social bubbles small (maximum of six people), and staying home if you’re not feeling well.
And he also empathized: “It was that kind of weekend, where more still was asked of us,” he said with reference to dealing with a 10+ Very High rating on the Air Quality Health Index as well as COVID and even with families gearing up for the start of in-class attendance in schools.
If you’re exposed, you’re under watch:
As a result of identified exposure to known cases, 3,047 people are under active public health monitoring. That’s a daily number consistent with the past week.
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, 663 people have been hospitalized with COVID-19 in BC (9.1% of total cases).
Recovery from COVID-19 is tallied for 5,446 people in BC who have tested positive (i.e. 74.9% 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 come sporadically.
Since the start of the pandemic, there have been 2,557 cases of COVID-19 in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, 3,754 in the Fraser Health region, 195 in the Island Health region, 473 in the Interior Health region, 216 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.
Vancouver Island COVID-19 profile:
Out of 543 COVID-19 tests done within Island Health in the last 72 hours, there were five new cases on Vancouver Island (four in ages 20 to 29 years, and the other in ages 30 to 39 years). That brings the total case tally on the island to 195.
Of the total Vancouver Island cases to date, 178 have recovered. Five people have died (no new deaths in many weeks).
Presently 12 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
