A record number of British Columbians tested positive for COVID-19 in a 24-hour period, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said Thursday.
B.C. now has 1,412 active cases of COVID-19, after 139 people tested positive for the disease caused by the novel coronavirus.
An additional 3,109 people are said to be under “active public health monitoring” as a result of identified exposure to known cases.
There have been no new COVID-19 related deaths, for a total of 213 deaths in British Columbia.
“We acknowledge the 213 people who have passed away…and we pass on our condolences to their families,” said Health Minister Adrian Dix.
Henry said 42 people are in hospital with COVID-19, including 14 in intensive care. That’s five more in hospital than yesterday, but one fewer in intensive care.
Henry acknowledged the first day of school on this record-setting day.
“I know for many families this can be exciting and anxious,” Henry told parents, teachers and students, who have expressed many concerns about the lack of physical distancing in schools and failure by some school districts to adequately fund online learning.
Despite no physical distancing requirements among cohorts of 60-120 in schools, Dix said “stick to six” as a new catch phrase for limiting interactions with people. That, he said, means only have close contact with up to six people in the so-called social “bubble” to promote physical distancing.
B.C. tested 3,593 people on Wednesday, for a total of 408,306 tests to date.
Acknowledging the frustrations of many people, he also said “this fall, let’s stay small.”
Henry hinted at the long-term outlook of COVID-19.
“Living with COVID19 is a reality we are going to face in the coming months or years,” said Henry.
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