COVID-19 is on the rise among British Columbians. So is being hospitalized from the disease.
On Tuesday, when provincial health officials announced 97 new cases it also announced a near-double surge in hospitalization numbers.
In B.C., the active case count has risen to 1,590 people battling the novel coronavirus. In the hospital, there are 67 people with the disease, of whom 20 are in intensive care.
The rest of those who are sick are recovering at home in self-isolation.
As of Tuesday, there are 2,608 COVID-19 cases in Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH), 3,784 in Fraser Health, 195 on Vancouver Island, 479 in Interior Health, and 225 in Northern Health – for a total of 7,376 cases province-wide.
"There has been one new health-care facility outbreak at OPAL by Element in the Vancouver Coastal Health region,” elaborated a joint statement by Health Minister, Adrian Dix, and Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry.
This means 11 long-term care facilities and three acute-care facilities are fighting COVID-19 outbreaks.
“As teachers and youth get back to the classroom, public health teams have been there and are working closely with schools to manage and contact trace any time a COVID-19 case arises,” urged the joint statement.
“This is time to get ready for the fall and winter seasons, to set the routines that ensure we stick with six people and avoid activities that will put ourselves and those we care for at risk.”
No new deaths have been associated with the disease for a total of 219 deaths in the province, officials confirmed.
Previously, 5,548 people who tested positive for COVID-19 have recovered.
