“Encouraging trends in our COVID-19 curve”

DR. Bonnie Henry, Provincial Health Officer, and Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, on Tuesday announced 566 new cases of COVID-19, including two epi-linked cases, for a total of 38,718 cases in British Columbia.

There were 16 new COVID-19-related deaths, and the total number of deaths now stands at 543.

There are 9,315 active cases of COVID-19 in the province. There are 352 individuals currently hospitalized with COVID-19, 74 of whom are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation.

There have been 136 new cases of COVID-19 in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, 297 new cases in the Fraser Health region, 11 in the Island Health region, 74 in the Interior Health region, 48 in the Northern Health region and no new cases of people who reside outside of Canada.

There have been no new health-care facility or community outbreaks.

Henry and Dix said: “While we have seen the start of encouraging trends in our COVID-19 curve, the number of new cases and people with serious illness requiring care in hospital remains high. This is why the public health orders and restrictions remain in place and why we must continue to stay local and keep to our households through the holiday season.

“Let’s make the coming weeks our ‘winter break’ by breaking the chain of transmission in our province. We can still be festive and enjoy the season, but let’s ensure it is only with our immediate household or, if you live on your own, with one or two close contacts.

“Take in the holiday lights in your neighbourhood, have a virtual visit with friends or support a ‘drive in and drop off’ charitable toy drive.

“Let’s work together to protect our communities and those who are most vulnerable and make it a safe and enjoyable holiday season for everyone.”