There are now 29,086 cases of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in B.C. after health officials announced 738 new cases Wednesday.
Four of the new cases are epi-linked.
Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry reports that there have been 169 new cases of COVID-19 in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, 443 in the Fraser Health region, 21 in the Island Health region, 70 in the Interior Health region, 35 in the Northern Health region and no new cases of people who reside outside of Canada.
Between Nov. 17 - 24, Henry adds that there were some errors in daily case numbers in the Fraser Health region. The new numbers reflect the correct data. As a result, yesterday's total number of cases was lower.
There have been no new health-care facility outbreaks and the outbreak at Royal Columbian Hospital has been declared over. There 51 active outbreaks in long-term and five in acute care.
There have been no new community outbreaks.
There have been 13 new COVID-19 related deaths, for a total of 371 deaths in British Columbia.
Of the total COVID-19 cases, 294 individuals are hospitalized, 61 of whom are in intensive care. The remaining people with COVID-19 are recovering at home in self-isolation. As well, 10,270 people are under active public health monitoring as a result of identified exposure to known cases.
There are 7,616 active cases of COVID-19 in the province, and 19,814 people who tested positive have recovered.
Public alerts and notifications are posted on the BC Centre for Disease Control’s (BCCDC) website and on all health authorities’ websites.
“We have had no new health-care facility outbreaks and the outbreaks at Royal Columbian Hospital and Agassiz Seniors Community are over. There have been no new community outbreaks and the outbreak at MSJ Distribution at Valhalla is over," said Henry.
“Today, we are very pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Ross Brown, vice-president pandemic from Vancouver Coastal Health Authority, to oversee our COVID-19 vaccine operations in British Columbia. Brown’s biography can be found here.
“As part of our provincewide COVID-19 response, the minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General has put a new order in place to enable enforcement of the mandatory use of masks in all indoor public spaces.
“A comprehensive list of the locations where the order applies, as well as the individuals who are exempt from this order is available at: here.
“It is important to remember that while masks are now required in many locations, not everyone is able to wear a mask. If you see someone without a mask, understand that while we are all in the same storm, each of our circumstances is unique.
“This virus is putting a strain on all of us, which is why compassion and care for others is so important right now.
“COVID-19 has meant that we all have to work a little bit harder to connect in a safe way and ensure our family, friends and neighbours know they are not alone and have the support they may need.
“Let’s work together to slow the spread of this virus and ease the strain we are all feeling by doing our part today.”
