Nine deaths, almost 2,000 new COVID-19 cases in B.C. over weekend

VICTORIA (NEWS 1130) — The province recorded nine deaths and almost 2,000 new COVID-19 cases over weekend — both three-day highs.

The majority of those who died were living in long-term care or had underlying illnesses and were in hospital. Their deaths bring the total in B.C. to 299.

“As the number of cases and outbreaks are showing, we are in the most challenging of times. We have come through a wave, we’re now in the midst of our second, and it has become even more challenging,” Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said Monday.

“And the virus is not stopping.”

This is a challenging time, Dr Henry says.
Getting through this surge, through this pandemic, Dr Henry says we have to go back to thinking what we must do to prevent the virus from spreading – and to support each other.#bcpoli @NEWS1130 #covid19

— LizaYuzda (@LizaYuzda) November 16, 2020

Of the 1,959 new cases, 654 were recorded from Friday to Saturday, then 659 from Saturday to Sunday, and 646 from Sunday to Monday.

All three totals broke the record of 617 set Friday, and come after provincial modeling data last week indicated the number of new cases is doubling about every 13 days.

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About 70 per cent of the new cases — or 1,361 — were in the Fraser Health region. More than 450 were in the Vancouver Coastal Health region.

Outbreaks have also been declared at 11 more health-care facilities, mainly in Metro Vancouver, while the number of people hospitalized with the virus is up to a record 181.

“We now have 52 active outbreaks in our health care system — 45 in long-term care and assisted living and seven in acute care,” Henry said.

BC #covid19 Nov 16
Record breaking in all the wrong ways.
4 days in a row of 600+ new cases
4231 new tcases his week
(that’s how many BC had *5.5 months* into #covid19)
Most in hosp ever at 181
Most deaths in a weekend since Apr
Most new cases on Island ever. #bcpoli @NEWS1130 https://t.co/kIOburTSQV pic.twitter.com/FwWpSrQrb0

— LizaYuzda (@LizaYuzda) November 16, 2020

She confirmed outbreaks at Cambridge elementary and the Platinum Athletic Club in Surrey.

Henry also reiterated her order to avoid social gatherings and minimize travel, and encouraged everyone to wear a mask when appropriate to do so.

“So in terms of our social connections, we need to start shrinking back to our pandemic bubble,” she said, adding in Metro Vancouver that means sticking to people in your household.

Q christmas bubbles – who can that be? Just our home or one close family?
Dr Henry – don’t know the answer to that yet.
Right now- if you are in Metro vancouver you need to stick to your household bubble only.#bcpoli @NEWS1130 #covid19

— LizaYuzda (@LizaYuzda) November 16, 2020

As for masks, Henry said they are an important part of individual efforts to minimize the spread of COVID-19, like washing hands, coughing into one’s sleeve, and maintaining safe distances from others.

“Wearing masks is now, more than ever, an important measure that we, individually, need to take.”

In the rest of the province starting to see increased transmission in community Dr Henry says – you can stick to your household plus your safe six — but overall we need to rethink our contacts. If you don’t need to see someone now, don’t.#bcpoli @NEWS1130 #covid19)

— LizaYuzda (@LizaYuzda) November 16, 2020

She said masks indoors should and need to be a part of safety plans for all businesses and organizations that have public areas or require employees to gather.

“For customers without a mask, they should be available. And for people who cannot wear a mask, businesses can provide virtual or curbside service instead,” Henry added.

Masks in businesses con’t
Dr Henry says biz plans should incl making them available to customers – ** those orders are enforceable**
Mnay of the settings with most transmission she says a mandate wouldn’t make a different – homes, parties.#bcpoli @NEWS1130 #covid19

— LizaYuzda (@LizaYuzda) November 16, 2020

“You wouldn’t ask a business owner to operate outside of their posted business hours, nor should you expect them to bend their COVID-19 rules for you.”

Henry said again she won’t issue an order making the wearing of masks indoors mandatory.

“We know that racialized communities, and people who are homeless, people who are under-housed, are more likely to be targeted with fines when we have those types of settings. So, we are reinforcing the importance of every business to have a COVID safety plan and for businesses that interact with the public, mask-wearing should be part of that.”

Q what about masks outside
Dr Henry there isn’t necessarily a need to wear one outdoors – like walking past someone – should be focusing on the situations where the virus is likely to transmit – esp when face to face or near someone for 15+minutes.#bcpoli @NEWS1130 #covid19

— LizaYuzda (@LizaYuzda) November 16, 2020

Regarding a vaccine, Henry said one should be available for everyone in the province by November of next year.

B.C. has recorded 22,944 cases of COVID-19 to date.

Active cases are up to 6,279.

Of those in hospital with the virus, 57 people are in critical care.