The number of positive COVID-19 cases in B.C. has surpassed 1,500, with 27 new cases announced on Tuesday.
Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said a total of 1,517 people have tested positive for COVID-19. Three additional people have died, bringing the number of deaths in B.C. due to the virus to 72.
Henry said the three new deaths were all at long-term care facilities, which have seen a total of 289 cases — 165 residents and 124 staff.
Of those who have tested positive, 942 are considered to be fully recovered.
One hundred thirty-four people are in hospital, including 58 in intensive care or acute care units.
There have been 89 cases on Vancouver Island, up two from Monday. There are 658 cases in Vancouver Coastal Health, 601 in Fraser Health, 141 in Interior Health and 28 in Northern Health.
Not everyone who might have COVID-19 is tested, and actual cases are likely higher than the confirmed cases. Guidelines from the B.C. Centre for Disease Control limit testing to people who are hospitalized or likely to be hospitalized, health-care workers, residents in long-term care and people who are part of an investigation for a cluster outbreak.
