B.C. surpasses 400 daily COVID-19 cases for first time

VICTORIA (NEWS 1130) — B.C. surpassed 400 new daily COVID-19 cases for the first time on Thursday.

Of the daily record 425 new cases, more than half — 268 — were in the Fraser Health region. Another 126 cases were in the Vancouver Coastal Health region.

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry reported no deaths, but said the test positive rate is increasing.

Records set today for:
new case (425, last was 389 sunday)
active cases 3389 (been steadily climbing for weeks)
people isolated/being monitored 7519 (more than double three weeks ago)
Most in hosp since Apr 28 (hospital high 149)#bcpoli @NEWS1130 #covid19 #bced pic.twitter.com/GqrhyiV87A

— LizaYuzda (@LizaYuzda) November 5, 2020

“In the last 24 hours, the cases that we’re recording are from 11,020 tests that were done at labs around the province. That gives a provincial per cent positive of 3.8 per cent — again, a rise from what we have been seeing in the last few days,” she said.

Cases in B.C. now total 16,560, while deaths remain at 272.

Henry said most of the concern around COVID-19 transmission remains in Metro Vancouver.

“Right now, we know some things are risky in areas like Metro Vancouver, where we are seeing increased numbers of cases,” she added. “This includes group activities indoors. And we have seen, we’ve seen this with spin classes, in gyms, we’ve seen this with dance classes inside.”

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says key area of concern right now is #MetroVancouver.

While death toll remains 273, #COVID19 is active at 28 care homes and 2 hospitals.

She’s again begging everyone to stop spreading the virus via social gatherings. #bcpoli @NEWS1130

— Marcella Bernardo (@Bernardo1130) November 5, 2020

Fraser Health declared a COVID-19 outbreak at the Capella Dance Academy in Chilliwack earlier this week after someone contracted the virus. The owner of the dance academy has slow contact tracing by Fraser Health for the outbreak, which affected more than 30 students, as well as two staff members.

Henry said the increase in cases was expected as the weather cools, and that much of the transmission is occurring among family members and work colleagues.

“You can help by staying local, by only spending time with your household, or at most you’re safe six — the same group on a repeated basis,” she added.

“So if you know somebody in your social circle with COVID, that means that your risk is higher. If you live with parents or elders or are working in essential services, or in health care, you need to refrain from these risky activities in these areas right now.”

Health Minister Adrian Dix pleaded for people to avoid gatherings.

“I think this is an important thing to say for everyone in B.C., that no matter our age, right now, when it comes to house parties and gatherings, the message is simple: don’t throw them, don’t go to them,” he said. “Don’t go, say no, and stop the spread.”

Of the new cases, seven were in the Vancouver Island Health region, while eight were in Interior health and six in Northern Health.

Meanwhile, Henry announced outbreaks at two more care homes, including a second one at Tabor Home in Abbotsford.

Just say *no — not now.
Definitely do not say “now” to house parties. https://t.co/os75iQ7z59

— LizaYuzda (@LizaYuzda) November 5, 2020

The outbreak at Queen’s Park Care Centre has been declared over, leaving those active at 28 long-term care and assisted living homes and two acute care units.

The first school outbreak, at Kelowna’s École de l’Anse-au-sable, is also over.

“Students and staff will be back in class tomorrow,” Henry said.

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Of 3,389 active cases in B.C., 97 people are in hospital, while 24 are in critical care.

Another 7,519 people are under active public health monitoring after being exposed to the virus.

Henry will present a COVID-19 modelling update next Thursday.

She added the B.C. Centre for Disease Control has set up a new COVID-19 epidemiology dashboard showing what’s happening in B.C. compared to other jurisdictions in Canada and globally.