COVID-19 in B.C.: Almost 250 new cases and over 1,200 active cases; almost 700 active cases in Interior Health; and more

    1 of 2 2 of 2

      Both B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix and provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry have been speaking at news conferences about the risks and impact of both B.C. wildfires as well as extreme heat conditions upon health across the province.

      While the province faces challenges from those issues, the numbers of new and active COVID-19 cases in B.C. continue to climb upward.

      Once again, the new case count for the province hit a new high in recent weeks and the number of active cases has risen above 1,200 cases.

      In addition, Interior Health, with an outbreak in the Central Okanagan that was declared earlier this week, is nearing 700 active cases.

      B.C. update: July 30

      Today, the B.C. Health Ministry is reporting 243 new COVID-19 cases (including one epi-linked case).

      Currently, there are 1,231 active cases, which is a rise of 176 cases since yesterday.

      At the moment, 47 individuals with COVID-19 are in hospital (a decrease of four people since yesterday), and 16 of those patients are in intensive care units (four fewer than yesterday).

      The new and active cases include:

      • 131 new cases in Interior Health, with 693 total active cases (an increase of 93 cases since yesterday);
      • 56 new cases in Fraser Health, with 277 total active cases (an increase of 35 cases);
      • 32 new cases in Vancouver Coastal Health, with 160 total active cases (an increase of 21 cases);
      • 13 new cases in Island Health, with 65 total active cases (an increase of 14 cases);
      • nine new cases in Northern Health, with 28 total active cases (an increase of nine cases);
      • two new cases of people from outside of Canada, with eight total active cases (an increase of three cases).

      The good news is that no new deaths have been reported. That leaves the overall total COVID-19-related fatalities at 1,771 people who have died during the pandemic.

      With 66 recoveries since yesterday, a cumulative total of 146,876 people who tested positive have now recovered.

      During the pandemic, B.C. has recorded a cumulative total of 149,889 cases.

      B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix
      Province of British Columbia

      Vaccinations

      Yesterday, Island Health announced that the Eagle Ridge immunization clinic would be relocated on July 30 to the air-conditioned Victoria Conference Centre due to the anticipated high temperatures.

      Today, Island Health extended the relocation dates to July 31 and August 1.

      Since the provincial immunization program began in December, B.C. has administered 6,774,257 doses of Pfizer, Moderna, and AstraZeneca vaccines.

      As of today, 81.1 percent (3,758,385) of eligible people 12 and older have received their first dose and 64.9 percent (3,008,360) have received their second dose.

      In addition, 82.0 percent (3,548,137) of all eligible adults in B.C. have received their first dose and 67.5 percent (2,921,008) have received their second dose.

      Outbreaks and exposures

      More good news is that none of the five regional health authorities have declared any new healthcare or community outbreaks, and none have listed any new public exposure events or business closures.

      Currently, there are two active healthcare outbreaks, both in longterm care facilities: Holyrood Manor (Fraser Health) and Nelson Jubilee Manor (Interior Health).

      You can follow Craig Takeuchi on Twitter at @cinecraig or on Facebook.

      Comments