COVID-19 in B.C.: Almost 350 new cases and over 1,700 active cases; three new healthcare outbreaks; and more
Usually it takes about a week or so to see the impact of long weekend periods on COVID-19 cases.
Today, there’s been a jump in the number of new cases compared to what was reported each day over the past weekend, which averaged 148 new cases per day over a four-day period.
While today’s numbers may not reflect what happened this past weekend, the bulk of the surge is in Interior Health, which had been seeing exponential growth.
Despite the increases, hospitalizations remain level and the number of deaths has remained low.
Nonetheless, B.C. provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry has said that each transmission of the virus is an opportunity for it to mutate.
Although vaccinations continue, it remains to be seen what position the ongoing rise in cases will put the province in with schools set to return in September, followed by cold and flu season complicating matters.
There are also three new healthcare outbreaks, all in Interior Health.
B.C. update: August 4
Today, the B.C. Health Ministry is reporting 342 new COVID-19 cases (including six epi-linked cases).
Currently, there are 1,764 active cases of COVID-19 in the province, which is an increase of 220 cases since yesterday.
The new and active cases include:
- 171 new cases in Interior Health, with 945 total active cases (98 more cases than yesterday);
- 66 new cases in Fraser Health, with 388 total active cases (40 more cases);
- 57 new cases in Vancouver Coastal Health, with 258 total active cases (46 more cases);
- 32 new cases in Island Health, with 109 total active cases (24 more cases);
- 13 new cases in Northern Health, with 52 total active cases (nine more cases);
- three new cases of people who reside outside of Canada, with 12 total active cases (three more cases).
Hospitalizations continue to increase, with 55 individuals now in hospitals (two more people than yesterday) and 23 of those patients in intensive care units (four more people since yesterday).
The good news is that no new deaths have been reported. The number of fatalities remains at an overall total of 1,772 people who have died of COVID-19-related during the pandemic.
A cumulative total of 147,409 people who tested positive have now recovered, which includes 124 recoveries since yesterday.
B.C. has recorded a cumulative total of 150,973 COVID-19 cases in the province during the pandemic.
Vaccinations
Since the start of the provincial immunization program, B.C. has administered 6,931,815 doses of Pfizer, Moderna, and AstraZeneca vaccines.
As of today, 81.5 percent (3,777,588) of eligible people 12 and older in B.C. have received their first dose and 67.9 percent (3,146,669) have received their second dose.
In addition, 82.4 percent (3,564,533) of all eligible adults in B.C. have received their first dose and 70.1 percent (3,033,200) have received their second dose.
Today is Walk-in Wednesday in which all clinics are offering doses for all eligible drop-ins. For more information, see the Vax for B.C. website.
https://twitter.com/BCGovNews/status/1422965556915879944
Outbreaks and exposures
In recent weeks, the number of healthcare outbreaks decreased to a minimum of two facilities.
However, there are now five active healthcare outbreaks in long-term care.
One is in Fraser Health at Holyrood Manor.
The other four are all in Interior Health: Nelson Jubilee Manor, Kootenay Street Village in Cranbrook, Cottonwoods Care Centre in Kelowna, and Brookhaven Care Centre in West Kelowna. The last three facilities are new outbreaks.
Meanwhile, none of the five regional health authorities declared any new community outbreaks, and didn't list any new business closures or public exposure events.
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