Active COVID-19 cases rising in B.C. as dozens more new infections reported

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — Active cases in B.C. continue to rise and have more than doubled since the end of July, hitting 629 on Friday, while thousands of people are in isolation after coming into contact with someone who has COVID-19.

In a joint statement, Health Minister Adrian Dix and Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry also announced 84 new cases, which is the fourth-highest daily total since the pandemic began.

“We have it within our ability to make the changes we need to bend our pandemic curve back down and continue in our B.C. restart, but it takes the combined efforts of everyone, not just a few,” they said, urging British Columbians to “hold the line,” heading into the weekend.

BC has *never* had consecutive daily new cases like this.
Over last three days: 85, 78, 84.
247 cases over three days.
Previously 163 is the highest 3-day total we’ve had (at the end of April)#bcpoli #covid19 https://t.co/DFz9mX4Mgs

— LizaYuzda (@LizaYuzda) August 14, 2020

Since Wednesday, B.C. has seen 247 new cases. Before this, the highest three-day total was at the end of April.

RELATED: B.C. warns partygoers of additional crackdowns as more young people contract COVID-19

Meanwhile, 12 people have been hospitalized with COVID-19, and four of them are in intensive care. Dix and Henry said everyone else who tested for the virus recovering in self-isolation. As well, 2,026 people who have been exposed to known cases.

With no new deaths, the total remains at 196 in B.C.

So far, 3,533 of 4,358 confirmed cases have recovered.

Updated #COVID19 cases per health region:

1354 Vancouver Coastal (+48)
2276 Fraser (+34)
399 Interior (+1)
150 Island (0)
107 Northern (+1)
72 non-residents of Canada (0)

*No live update from Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister @adriandix, but….

— Marcella Bernardo (@Bernardo1130) August 14, 2020

One more health-care outbreak has been declared at Queen’s Park Care Centre in New Westminster. Outbreaks are still active at seven long-term care facilities and two acute-care facilities.

“There are no new community outbreaks. However, there continue to be community exposure events around the province and on flights into and out of British Columbia,” Dix and Henry add.

More information on exposure events can be found on the BC Centre for Disease Control website.

“In the Vancouver Coastal Health region, ongoing surveillance and enforcement operations have resulted in the closure of several bars, restaurants and nightclubs following transmission events: some by public health order and others voluntarily.” How many closed now? @NEWS1130 https://t.co/TO3TXNq8CD

— Marcella Bernardo (@Bernardo1130) August 14, 2020

As more coronavirus cases have been linked to nightclubs, bars, and restaurants in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, Dix and Henry said ongoing surveillance will ensure public health orders are being followed.

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• VCH warns about possible COVID-19 exposure at Levels Nightclub

• Vancouver’s Celebrities Nightclub closes voluntarily amid B.C. spike in COVID-19 cases

• COVID-19 exposure alert expanded for Vancouver bar, restaurant

“Remember that each new interaction outside your bubble holds a risk that you then bring back to your family and friends. In these circumstances, we must stand together, by staying apart,” Dix and Henry said.

They encourage British Columbians to help bend the curve back down, and “use our influence to bring our family and friends on board if they have strayed.”