Record number of COVID-19 infections, hospitalizations in B.C.

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — Yet another daily COVID-19 record has been broken Friday as B.C. reports more than 600 infections for the first time.

The daily number of new infections reached 617 Friday, according to provincial health officials. This new record comes a day after provincial modelling data indicated the number of new cases is doubling about every 13 days.

The number of people hospitalized because of the virus is also higher than it has ever been in B.C. with 167 people admitted, 50 of whom ate in intensive care.

New BC #covid19 records today:
cases 617 (prev high 594 yesterday)
hospitalizations 167 (155 yesterday)
people monitored 12016 (925 more than yesterday's then, record 11091)
most new cases in a day on the island with 16
(214 fewer active cases though…)@NEWS1130 #bcpoli #yyj https://t.co/FPxsY2H9iu pic.twitter.com/JvaXvhMdBy

— LizaYuzda (@LizaYuzda) November 13, 2020

However, there are 214 fewer active cases than Thursday.

Two more people have also died from the virus, bringing the total to 290 since the start of the pandemic.

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Three more outbreaks in health-care have been confirmed at Sun Pointe Village, Capilano Care Centre, and Fraserview Intermediate Care Lodge. The outbreaks at Queens Park Hospital, Lakeview Care Centre, Yaletown House and St. Michael’s Centre are over.

There were no community outbreaks to report.

Critical time for B.C.

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry, in a joint statement with Health Minister Adrian Dix, emphasized B.C. is at a critical time in the pandemic.

“We need to act now to protect our loved ones, our elders and our communities,” the statement reads. “When faced with a resurgence of COVID-19, it can be difficult to muster the strength to keep moving forward, yet British Columbians continue to show unwavering resilience and fortitude to support friends and neighbours in our communities and take care of those who are most at risk, by following the orders and using our layers of protection.”

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Ahead of Diwali, they urge everyone to celebrate from home and connect virtually instead.

“Now is the time for everyone, right across our province, to do their part to slow the spread of COVID-19 — to be leaders by working together with a common purpose to push our curve back down.”

#BREAKING 2 more deaths and new daily record 617 #COVID19 cases bring #BC total to 20,985.

Of 167 hospitalized, 50 in critical care.

Death toll is 290.

With 5579 active, 12,016 isolating and 14,901 have recovered.

Rate is up to 71% from 69.2 Thursday.#bcpoli @NEWS1130

— Marcella Bernardo (@MBernardoNews) November 13, 2020

The recovery rate is up slightly to 71 per cent, now that nearly 15,000 people who tested positive have recovered.

To date, 20,985 cases have been confirmed in B.C.