‘Contact tracing has shown the majority of new cases are connected to a known case or cluster, which means uncontrolled transmission is limited’
PROVINCIAL Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Deputy Minister of Health, Stephen Brown, on Monday announced 358 new cases of COVID-19, including eight epi-linked cases, since last Friday. The total number of cases in British Columbia is now 9,739.
They said: “Today, we are announcing three 24-hour reporting periods. In the first reporting period from October 2 to 3, we had 130 new cases, from October 3 to 4, we had 108 new cases and in the last 24 hours, we have had a further 120 new cases.”
Unfortunately, there were four new COVID-19-related deaths. The total number of deaths in the province now stands at 242.
Currently, 66 individuals are hospitalized with COVID-19, 16 of whom are in intensive care. The remaining people with COVID-19 are recovering at home in self-isolation.
Since the start of the pandemic, there have been 3,580 cases of COVID-19 in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, 4,980 in the Fraser Health region, 220 in the Island Health region, 548 in the Interior Health region, 322 in the Northern Health region and 89 cases of people who reside outside of Canada.
There have been three new health-care facility outbreaks: one at Langley Lodge, one at White Rock Seniors Village and one at Chartwell Crescent Gardens. The outbreak at Holy Family Hospital has been declared over. In total, 16 long-term care or assisted-living facilities and three acute-care facilities have active outbreaks.
There has been one new community outbreak at the MSJ Valhalla Distribution Centre in the Fraser Health region. There also continue to be exposure events around the province. Public alerts and school notifications are posted on the BC Centre for Disease Control’s (BCCDC) website and on all health authorities’ websites.
Henry and Brown added: “Many of us are thinking ahead to Thanksgiving celebrations this weekend. New guidance for safer celebrations while COVID-19 remains in our communities is now available on the BCCDC website.
“This year, make your celebrations large in thanks but small in size. While many of us would often travel to friends and family to spend time together, now is the time to stay closer to home and have a smaller gathering instead.
“If you are getting together with your ‘safe six’ for Thanksgiving, limit your time together prior to or following your meal, seat guests as far apart as possible and opt for individual servings instead of a buffet. And always remember if you are at all feeling ill, show you care by staying home and away from others.
“The modelling data released today tells us as a direct result of so many people paying attention to the public health precautions and doing the right thing, we are making a difference and flattening our curve.
“The work of public health teams throughout the province has been extremely effective, and contact tracing has shown the majority of new cases are connected to a known case or cluster, which means uncontrolled transmission is limited.
“Additionally, much like other aspects of our society that are now open, we have seen exposures in our schools. However, importantly, schools are not a major source of transmission.
“While the number of overall cases has risen, we have fewer hospitalizations than in the spring. This is in part because many of the recent cases of COVID-19 are those who are younger and, as a result, less susceptible to severe illness.
“While this highlights that no one is immune to COVID-19, the fewer people with severe illness mean we continue to have capacity in our health-care system for those who need additional care.
“Our actions today have a direct impact on how the province will fair tomorrow. What we do for Thanksgiving will make a difference for Halloween and the next celebration after that.
“This weekend, give thanks to your neighbours, friends and family for doing their part to keep you safe. We are stronger together by staying apart, so let’s continue to find new ways to support each other and show we care – at a safe distance.”
Assisted living, long-term care homes and seniors’ rental buildings with ongoing COVID-19 outbreaks are as follows:
Vancouver Coastal Health
* Banfield Pavilion long-term care facility
* Haro Park Centre long-term care facility (second occurrence)
* Point Grey Private Hospital long-term care facility
Fraser Health
* Chartwell Crescent Gardens long-term care facility
* Cherington Place long-term care facility
* Evergreen Hamlets long-term care facility
* George Derby Centre long-term care facility
* Harrison West at Elim Village long-term care facility
* Kin Village assisted-living facility
* Langley Lodge long-term care facility (third occurrence)
* Milieu Children and Family Services Society community-living facility
* New Vista Care Home long-term care facility
* Rideau Retirement Centre independent-living facility
* Thornebridge Gardens assisted-living facility
* Peace Portal Seniors Village long-term care facility
* White Rock Seniors Village long-term care facility
