A record 425 new cases of COVID-19 were announced by B.C. health officials Thursday, including seven in the Island Health region.
B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix called the number a significant increase, saying: “The COVID-19 tide is rising.”
It’s the first time the daily count has cracked the 400 mark, after a week of record highs in the 300s. The majority of the new cases —268 —were in the Fraser Health region, along with 126 in Vancouver Coastal, 18 in Interior Health and six in Northern Health.
Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said an increase was anticipated as activities shifted indoors as a result of cooler weather, but added that it’s “incredibly important” that it be managed effectively. “I am asking, once again, for your help to slow the spread of this virus in B.C., so that we can keep our schools, our businesses and our community open.”
There are 22 active cases in the Island Health region, among 3,389 active cases in B.C. Ninety-seven people across the province are in hospital with COVID-19, including 24 in intensive or critical care.
No new deaths were reported Thursday, leaving the number of deaths linked to COVID-19 in B.C. at 273.
Because most of the spike in new cases and hospitalizations is coming from the Fraser Health and Vancouver Coastal Health regions, some have called for a regional response.
On Thursday, former provincial health minister Terry Lake, chief executive officer of the B.C. Care Providers’ Association, called for a regional approach to visits to long-term care and assisted living residences, citing a report this week by the seniors watchdog that found restrictions on visits are taking a huge toll on seniors and their families.
“If the risk is much lower in the Vancouver Island Health Authority and Interior Health Authority, why the same level of restrictions as Fraser Health?” said Lake.
Last week, Henry and Dix agreed that expanded visits for long-term care and assisted living are coming, but they were unable Thursday to offer a timeline or clarity on whether it would involve a regional approach.
Henry said health authorities are working with care-home operators to ensure appropriate supports are in place for increased visits, including personal protective equipment and sufficient staffing.
“Those are coming along — that’s the good news,” she said. “The more challenging news is, as we’ve seen this week, that we have to be so, so careful.”
During the first seven months of the pandemic, 151 residents of long-term care in the province died from COVID-19. There have been no outbreaks in Island Health facilities.
Dix said if all British Columbians take precautions to slow the spread of COVID-19, it would help ensure visits in long-term care can be expanded.
Henry said Thursday that in the previous 24 hours, 11,020 COVID-19 nasal swab and gargle COVID-19 tests were performed around the province. The overall positivity rate is 3.8 per cent.
Two new health-care facility outbreaks were announced, at Tabor Home Society in Abbotsford and Pinegrove Place in Richmond. In total, there are outbreaks in 28 long-term care or assisted-living facilities and one in an acute-care facility.
Public alerts and notifications are posted on the B.C. Centre for Disease Control’s website and on all health authorities’ websites.
Citing a provincial health order limiting gatherings in a home to household members plus a maximum of six others, Dix asked residents not to host or attend house parties. “Don’t throw, don’t go, say no, and stop the spread,” he said.
