The total number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in B.C. now stands at 14,381, after health officials announced 272 new cases Wednesday.
Five of the new cases are epi-linked.
In a statement issued Friday afternoon, provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry reported 4,664 cases of COVID-19 confirmed in the Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) region, 8,219 in Fraser Health, 256 in Island Health, 741 in the Interior Health region and 412 in Northern Health.
Additionally, B.C. has experienced 89 cases of COVID-19 in people who reside outside of Canada.
According to public health officials, 2,390 cases out of the total are currently active, while 6,003 people remain under public health monitoring as a result of identified exposure to known cases. Out of the people who have tested positive for the virus, 11,670 have recovered.
There has been one new COVID-19 related death, bringing British Columbia's total number of COVID-19-related fatalities to 263.
In the statement, officials announced three new health-care facility outbreaks identified within the past 24 hours. Those outbreaks have reportedly affected Hawthorne Seniors Care Community, CareLife Fleetwood and Queen’s Park Hospital unit 3C NMSK 2.
Meanwhile, previous outbreaks at Fort Langley Seniors Community, The Village and Sunset Manor and Good Samaritan Victoria Heights have been declared over. A total of 24 long-term care or assisted-living facilities and two acute-care facilities are currently dealing with active outbreaks.
There has also been one new community outbreak reported at Suncor Firebag Oil Sands, according to the province.
There are currently 78 individuals receiving treatment for COVID-19 in B.C. hospitals—slightly down from yesterday's total of 87—with 25 of those patients in intensive care. The remaining individuals with active cases of COVID-19 are recovering at home in self-isolation.
In Friday's statement, Henry reminded British Columbians to make tomorrow's Halloween celebrations "about the treats and not the tricks." She also reminded revellers to "Respect homes that are choosing not to participate this year and give everyone the space to stay safe, both indoors and outdoors."
While this weekend looks to be "a great opportunity to be outside, enjoying the fall foliage and Halloween decorations," wrote Henry, it is not the time for parties and large indoor gatherings.
“Instead, let’s spend time with others in a safe way, outside or in venues that have COVID-19 safety plans in place," she said.
The provincial health officer order limiting indoor gatherings to the people who reside in that household, plus a maximum of six others, remains in effect. "Surveillance will be increased for the weekend ahead," Henry warned.
“Let’s make this weekend a safe and fun experience by keeping our groups small and by practising our COVID-19 sense.”
Alerts are posted on the BC Centre for Disease Control’s (BCCDC) website, as well as on health authorities’ websites, providing details on where the potential exposure occurred and what actions to take – whether you need to self-isolate or monitor for symptoms. More information and guidelines on how to celebrate Halloween safely this year can be found on the BCCDC's website.
