Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, and Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.’s provincial health officer, say there are 47 new cases of COVID-19 in the province as of Wednesday.
One of the new cases is an epidemiologically-linked case, which is a person who was never tested but was presumed to have COVID-19 because they developed symptoms and were close contacts of a laboratory-confirmed case.
Wednesday’s numbers were released in a statement by Henry and Dix.
B.C. has now had a total of 3,834 cases since the start of the pandemic.
None of the new cases are in Island Health, which has had a total of 146 cases since the pandemic began. Of those, 137 people have recovered in Island Health and there have been five deaths.
There have also been 1,132 cases of COVID-19 in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, 2,015 in the Fraser Health region, 384 in the Interior Health region, 91 in the Northern Health region and 66 cases of people who reside outside of Canada (temporary foreign workers and visitors) since the start of the pandemic.
There are now 351 active cases of COVID-19 in B.C. and 3,288 people who tested positive have recovered.
Of the active cases, nine individuals are hospitalized with COVID-19 (up one from Aug. 4), six of whom are in intensive care (up two from Aug. 4). No new deaths were reported on Wednesday.
There have been no new health-care facility outbreaks. Three long-term care or assisted living facilities have active outbreaks: Holy Family Hospital long-term care facility in Vancouver Coastal Health, Dania Home long-term care facility in Fraser Health and Maple Ridge Seniors Village long-term Care facility in Fraser Health.
There are no new community outbreaks. But there continues to be community exposure events throughout the province and on flights into and out of British Columbia.
To see a list of exposures visit the BC Centre for Disease Control’s and health authorities’ websites.
“As COVID-19 remains in our communities, so does the anxiety and stress that comes with the uncertainty, the increased isolation and the need to take precautions in everything we do,” Henry and Dix said in Wednesday’s statement.
“Younger people, in particular, may not fully understand why many of the activities they normally enjoy are no longer available, look different and require us to interact with each other in new ways. We remind people to take the time to check in with your friends, family and neighbours, young and old, to provide a mental health boost and to ensure they have the support we all need – especially for those who may be self-isolating.
“If you have been struggling and need additional support, resources are available for you.”
Dix and Henry reminded British Columbians that tor youth who may be struggling, the Kids Help Phone is available by phone, text and online 1-800 668-6868 and at: Kidshelpphone.ca
And people experiencing family or intimate-partner violence can get support 24/7 through VictimLinkBC at 1-800 563-0808.
“People all across B.C. have demonstrated unparalleled compassion and kindness in the face of COVID-19. It is something we can all be proud of and something we must continue,” Dix and Henry said.
“As we make this summer of 2020 the summer to play safe and stay safe, let’s also make it the summer of consideration and care for those around us.”
The geographic distribution of COVID-19 cases in B.C. from July 17-30. (BC CDC)
To see B.C.’s COVID-19 numbers by day and health authority, along with recoveries and test numbers, visit the B.C. COVID-19 dashboard.
According to researchers with Johns Hopkins University and Medicine, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases worldwide is now more than 18.6 million, with more than 703,000 deaths.
Alexa Huffman
