B.C. records 366 new COVID-19 cases over the past three days, four more deaths

VICTORIA (NEWS 1130) — B.C. recorded 366 new COVID-19 cases and four deaths over the past three days, the province announced Monday, the same day a fall election was callled.

Two of the deaths happened in the Fraser Health Authority. The others were in the Vancouver Coastal and Northern health regions and bring the total in B.C. to 227.

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said the death in the north was the second in that area overall.

“Unfortunately, this was a person who was in hospital, had been in hospital for some time, and they passed away this past weekend,” she said.

BC’s #COVID19 update

Fri-Sat: 121
Sat-Sun: 117
Sun-Mon: 128
Total: 366 new cases

Total cases: 8,208 to date
60 in hosp., 21 of whom in ICU
Four additional deaths this weekend (227)

— Sonia Aslam (@SoniaSAslam) September 21, 2020

Henry also announced an outbreak at Yaletown House, a long-term care facility in Vancouver, where a health-care worker became infected.

The outbreak at the Queen’s Park acute care unit, though, has been declared over, leaving 15 active ones in the health-care system, 12 in long-term care and assisted living. Three acute-care units have active outbreaks.

Of the new cases, 121 were recorded between Friday and Saturday, followed by 117 during the next 24-hour period, then 128 for the one ending Monday.

Henry reiterated recommendations to keep social bubbles small, to stick with the same group of friends, and maintain a safe physical distance from others.

‘Sore throat, runny nose removed from student health checklist’

Earlier in the day, the province confirmed that a sore throat or runny nose have been removed from the list of symptoms for the student health checklist.

“So that’s the key thing, if you have a slight runny nose by itself, then that in and of itself is not a reason for a child, and we’re talking about children here, to necessarily stay home from school,” Henry said.

“If you have those single symptoms that you can keep the child home for 24 hours and monitor and see how things go.”

She added the advice is different for adults.

Henry also explained the difference between clusters and outbreaks, and how they can be different, depending on the setting.

Def cluster, exposure vs outbreak school vs LTC?
Dr Henry – single case in long term care managed as an outbreak. School is different – outbreak is transmission between people where need to take additional measures.#bcpoli @news1130 #covid19

— LizaYuzda (@LizaYuzda) September 21, 2020

At least 26 exposures have been recorded involving schools so far.

Q another about @VCHhealthcare transparency…
Dr Henry: I am certain anyone who had close contact to someone is being/will be notified by VCH.
Also says some staff/students cases have been ppl who tested positive but hadn't been at school.#bcpoli @news1130 #covid19

— LizaYuzda (@LizaYuzda) September 21, 2020

She said COVID-19 cases and exposures were expected in schools, and that health officials have shown they can be contained quickly.

Henry was also asked about a second wave, which Quebec declared on Monday.

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“I saw that from Quebec today and I’m not clear exactly what parameters they are using,” Henry said.

“We definitely are seeing a resurgence, and the important thing is, can we manage this, can we keep it in under control without having that rapidly growing exponential growth. And so far we’ve been able to do that, but we all need to continue doing our part to keep it that way.”

COVID-19 cases in B.C. now total 8,208. The recovery rate is 73 per cent.

Of 1,987 active cases, 60 people are in hospital, including 21 in critical care.

Henry also said 3,233 people under public health monitoring across the province.

She said Premier John Horgan did not ask for her advice around the timing of a provincial election. However, she has been working with Elections BC since March to develop safe voting guidelines and that more information will be released Tuesday.