B.C. warns partygoers of additional crackdowns as more young people contract COVID-19
Posted August 13, 2020 6:08 pm.
Last Updated August 14, 2020 5:23 am.
VICTORIA (NEWS 1130) — The provincial health minister says British Columbians can expect additional crackdowns on indoor parties and other gatherings starting this weekend.
On Thursday, Adrian Dix had some strong words about a lack of social distancing at parties.
Dix said he’s now promising environmental health officers and people in public health will visit offenders where they gather.
“It’s our expectation that the limits on the number of people at parties will be in place this weekend, everywhere in B.C.”
If you do witness bad behaviour and want to report it, you can call a bylaw officer. But do not call 9-1-1.
#BREAKING Health Minister Adrian Dix says anyone having large gatherings at banquet halls or other facilities in #BC SHOULD expect a visit/inspection from a public health officer.
Is this start of long-demanded crackdown? #bcpoli @NEWS1130— Marcella Bernardo (@Bernardo1130) August 13, 2020
Dix clarifies “there will be consequences” for violating 50-person limits this weekend, so fines will be issued and overcrowded gatherings may be forced to end earlier than planned.
This is the strongest #COVID19BC message so far re: enforcement of existing orders. @NEWS1130— Marcella Bernardo (@Bernardo1130) August 13, 2020
The crackdown comes as new modelling reflects an increase in younger people testing positive for COVID-19.
The number of British Columbians in self-isolation because of COVID-19 is getting close to 1,900 as the province reports 78 new cases in the past day. There have been no new deaths.
New modelling
Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry also presenting modelling data on Thursday, reconfirming a “rapid increase” in cases among people younger than 40, especially those in their 20s, as well as assuring parents that the effects of COVID-19 on school-age children are limited.
The 20-to-29-year-old age group has gone up the most, Henry said, with distinct increases around the end of June and end of July.
The data also shows few infections among children, especially those under 10.
“We’re now up to 78 children under 10 who’ve been diagnosed with COVID-19, two of whom were hospitalized,” Henry said. “And so this reflects about two per cent of our cases in the province, whereas children under the age of 10 are about nine per cent of our population.”
BC is seeing a trend in younger people being infected with #COVID19. That's according to the province's latest data and the recent "social events," says Dr. Bonnie Henry. DBH is pleading w/people to follow the rules. Take a look at the graph below of where things could be headed. pic.twitter.com/VVU9sARY9q
— Sonia Aslam (@SoniaSAslam) August 13, 2020
She said the same is true for children aged 10 to 19, with 162 diagnosed in that age group.
“That’s four per cent of our cases in a population that represents 10 per cent of the proportion,” Henry added.
“In both those cases, very small numbers, only three out of the entire group have required hospitalization. We’ve had nobody who’s needed ICU care and, thankfully, nobody who has died.”
The data also shows young adults make up a disproportionate number of cases, at about 17 per cent, compared to their representation in the population of being only 13 or 14 per cent.
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‘An upwards swing’
Henry also said as the province relaxed health and safety regulations, the reproductive number — the average daily number of new infections that are generated per case — has started to swing upwards as contacts are around 70 per cent of normal.
“We know that we want to be under one,” she added.
Health and safety measures, along with contact tracing can help reduce that and flatten the curve, she said.
However, the modelling suggests new cases could continue to rise throughout the summer, trending towards a sharp rise in fall.
New cases
The bulk of new cases have been in the Lower Mainland, although some are related to international travel.
In Fraser South region has seen the most cases in the past two weeks, with 112. Fraser North has had 44, while Vancouver has had 51. Richmond has had just five.
Of 452 cases during that time, 50 have been in the Okanagan.
The majority are linked to other known exposures.
With the new cases Thursday, the total in B.C. climbed to 4,274. Of those, 578 are active.
The province reported a new outbreak at the Okanagan Correctional Centre involving three staff.
With no new deaths, the total in B.C. remains 196.
Death toll across #BC is 196 with 1878 people in isolation because of contact with #COVID19-positive people.
Dr. Bonnie Henry says 78 kids under 10 have tested positive with only 2 hospitalized and not in ICU, but latest trends involve people in 20s and 30s. #bcpoli @NEWS1130— Marcella Bernardo (@Bernardo1130) August 13, 2020
Read the full modelling report:
CovidModellingBriefing_20200813
