There are now 6,591 cases of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in B.C. after health officials announced 429 new cases Tuesday.
Tuesday's figures represent four reporting periods: From Friday to Saturday there were 123 new cases; from Saturday to Sunday 116 new cases; Sunday to Monday 107 new cases; and Monday to Tuesday 83 new cases.
Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry reported that there are 2,249 cases in Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH), 3,428 in Fraser Health, 184 on Vancouver Island, 460 in Interior Health and 186 in Northern Health.
Additionally, there have been 84 cases of COVID-19 in B.C. of people who reside outside of Canada. In total, there are 1,386 active cases of COVID-19 in B.C.
There have been three new health-care facility outbreaks in B.C.: Burnaby General Hospital and Rideau Retirement Centre in Fraser Health, and a second outbreak at the Holy Family Hospital in VCH. There are 14 active outbreaks in our healthcare system in B.C. overall.
There are no new community outbreaks declared as of today. However, there continue to be community exposure events - particularly in the Lower Mainland - and on flights into and out of British Columbia.
There have been two new COVID-19 related deaths, both residents of long-term care, one each in Fraser Health and Vancouver Coastal Health.
Of the total COVID-19 cases, 32 individuals are hospitalized, 12 of whom are in critical care. The remaining people with COVID-19 are recovering at home in self-isolation.
While 4,978 people who tested positive for COVID-19 are considered fully recovered, there are 3,063 people under active health monitoring due to potential exposure to COVID-19.
"It is the time for all of us to cut back on our social interactions," cautioned Dr. Henry.
Dr. Henry also announced Tuesday an amendment to current public health orders in B.C. that call for the closure of all nightclubs and standalone banquet halls, effective immediately.
Liquor sales in all restaurants and pubs must cease at 10 p.m., and those venues must close by 11 p.m. The exceptions are venues that serve full meals; they may remain open but must stop serving alcohol at 10 p.m.
Additionally, Dr. Henry has ordered that the volume of music and TV in bars and restaurants cannot exceed the volume of regular conversation.
"Issuing orders is not something that we do lightly," said Henry, adding that doing so is a "last resort."
