While the Fraser Health region continues to see the highest number of new daily cases of coronavirus (COVID-19), health officials say the places where transmission occurs is ever-changing.
Previously, community celebrations were considered some of the most common places for the virus to spread.
However, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie told reporters in a news conference Wednesday that health officials are detecting clusters and outbreaks more often in other settings.
"We've seen a decrease in cases related to parties and weddings and diwali -- we've not seen a surge in people who attended those types of celebrations, so that's a positive thing," she said.
With this in mind, Henry underscored that health officials are seeing an uptick in cases in several other scenarios. She mentioned the example Fraser Health provided recently of a woman who went to a spin class and was positive for COVID-19. The transmission event resulted in a staggering 67 individuals from two fitness classes testing positive for the virus and 180 people who would have to self-isolate for two weeks (view the infographic here).
COVID-19 Transmission in Everyday Life
B.C.'s top doctor added that health officials are detecting clusters of COVID-19 cases in workplaces, too.
"We have a pretty good idea where transmission events are happening. That's why we've put in some of the restrictions we did on indoor group fitness activities, for example," Henry explained.
"We put restrictions on--and we closed down eventually--nightclubs and certain bars and banquet halls because those were the settings where we were seeing lots of transmission happening."
Henry added that people were not following the gathering rules at private parties, weddings, birthdays and other events, but that health officials are constantly revisiting ways to deter people from flouting the rules.
"So, it is very detailed behind the scenes--that is sometimes not able to be reflected as well in just the numbers."
Here is how fast COVID-19 can spread through a B.C. community
How do you follow something you can't see?
In the wake of record-setting new daily cases of COVID-19 in B.C., health officials issued a number of infographics that show how quickly the virus spreads.
Fraser Health has issued three infographics using real data that demonstrate how one positive case of COVID-19 may spread through a community.
Read more here.
