The ongoing surge of COVID-19 in B.C. continues.
In a written statement, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Minister of Health Adrian Dix announced 124 cases, a new single-day case-count record, for a new provincial total of 5,496 this afternoon (Aug. 28).
Northern Health added five for a total of 142.
B.C.'s active-case count now has a new record of 974 across the province. This includes 23 in hospital and in seven in critical care.
There are now 974 active cases. That is a NEW record. Previous was 925 #covid19bc #covid19 #covid #bc #bcpoli #cityofpg #northernhealth @PGMatters
— Jess Balzer (@jessicajbalzer) August 28, 2020
There have been no new deaths from the virus; the fatality rate stays at 204.
The number of people that health officials are monitoring for symptoms of COVID-19 in B.C. has also steadily risen since the B.C. government started to regularly release these numbers earlier this month.
There are now 2,796 people being monitored for the deadly virus in the province because they have come into contact with people who are known to have contracted the disease.
Vancouver Coastal Health has a recorded total of 1,791 cases, 2,878 in Fraser Health, 174 in Island Health and 433 in the Interior region.
#BREAKING Northern Health has 5 new COVID19 cases #covid19bc #covid19 #covid #bc #bcpoli #cityofpg #northernhealth @PGMatters
— Jess Balzer (@jessicajbalzer) August 28, 2020
Northern Health announced an alert this morning (Aug. 28) for the northeast region that COVID-19 tests and tracing has been able to identify some events and gatherings in the Prespatou region.
The authority says people may have been exposed to the virus, but is unable to identify and follow-up with all contacts.
"Individuals who may have attended any events, service, or gatherings (however large or small) in the Prespatou region where social distancing or appropriate masking was not in place or being observed since early August are asked to self-monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 and get tested if they begin to exhibit symptoms," the alert reads.
The authority also announced the community outbreak on Haida Gwaii is now officially over.
Officials said in a release today (Aug. 28) none of the 26 outbreak-related cases required hospitalization or relocation for self-isolation needs.
"Northern Health and the First Nations Health Authority have worked closely with Council of the Haida Nation and municipal governments on Haida Gwaii to ensure a coordinated community response, and that medical supports including housing options for self-isolation were available, if needed," a release reads.
The outbreak was originally announced on July 24 with a total of 26 cases. Northern Health says the last community outbreak case was reported on Aug. 6 and there have been no new cases since that date. Northern Health's Chief Medical Health Officer is confident there are no other ways of transmission related to this specific outbreak.
"COVID-19 requires new ways of living our lives with new precautions and routines for ourselves and our families, whether at home, work, school or when spending time with others," Henry said in today's statement.
"This includes keeping our numbers of contacts low, especially at indoor parties and events, whether in a hall or in our own home. We have seen transmission from even small events, and the last thing we want to do is pass COVID-19 to those we are closest to.
“This weekend, let’s remember to use the layers of protection that keep ourselves and those around us safe. This is also a good time to think about the new routines that will be part of our activities into the fall."
