BC reports 68 new COVID-19 cases, expands access to assessment, testing

MISSION (NEWS 1130) — Another 68 people in B.C. have tested positive for COVID-19, the same day the provincial government announced more temporary testing sites and expanded testing hours.

The province continues to have a total of 198 deaths but cases have risen to a total of 4,745.

In a joint statement on Wednesday, Health Minister Adrian Dix and B.C.’s deputy provincial health officer Dr. Réka Gustafson reported no new outbreaks in healthcare facilities and there are no new community outbreaks.

#BREAKING no more deaths, but 68 new cases of #COVID19 bring total to 4745 in #BC and active case count is highest it's ever been at 798.
We now have 2452 in isolation with 3749 recovered.
Of 10 patients hospitalized, 4 in critical care.
Death toll remains 198. #bcpoli @NEWS1130

— Marcella Bernardo (@MBernardoNews) August 19, 2020

“Currently, 10 individuals are hospitalized with COVID-19, four of whom are in intensive care. The remaining people with COVID-19 are recovering at home in self-isolation,” the statement reads.

Of note today:
Each health region bolstering testing facilities to keep up with increased demand
Hospitalizations still low
Two more LTC/Acute care outbreaks over
Island seeing low but steady increases daily (+10 in days instead of weeks)#bcpoli @news1130 #covid19 pic.twitter.com/4JNuOsQa6f

— LizaYuzda (@LizaYuzda) August 19, 2020

RELATED: B.C. expanding temporary COVID-19 testing locations, hours

Meanwhile, the province is also responding to a spike in demand for COVID-19 testing.

“We know as the number of new cases increases, demand for testing also goes up. That is why each health region has been working to add further assessment and testing capacity. New assessments and testing centres and extended hours of service have been added in the Vancouver Coastal Health and Fraser Health regions to address increases in demand. Today, we have the ability to complete approximately 8,000 tests every day,” the release reads.

Vancouver Coastal Health has opened a new COVID-19 assessment centre on East 7th Avenue.

Another centre is expected to open in North Vancouver in the coming weeks, while operating hours in Richmond will be increased.

Health officials continue to ask people to remember tests are only recommended for people with symptoms.

“While those who are younger are less likely to face severe illness, it is easy to inadvertently pass the virus on to someone who may be only a few years older, but much more vulnerable,” the statement from Dix and Gustafson reads.

Min of Health again reminding younger ppl of #COVID19 risk they can pose to more vulnerable
“While those who are younger are less likely to face severe illness, it is easy to inadvertently pass the virus on to someone who may be only a few years older, but much more vulnerable"

— Lasia Kretzel (@rhymeswpretzel) August 19, 2020

“As a result, the best thing we can do is to protect ourselves and those we care about most by assessing the risks before we spend time with others and always using our layers of protection.”

If you develop symptoms, “no matter how mild” health officials ask you to distance yourself from others and contact 811 or your healthcare provider to arrange an assessment.