COVID-19 hospitalizations still rising in B.C.

VICTORIA (NEWS 1130) — The number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 has more than tripled in the past month.

The province reported 58 new cases on Tuesday — the first day of September — along with one death, the 209th in B.C. since the start of the pandemic.

The number of people hospitalized in the province is 31, up from a low of five on the last day of July and eight early in August.

Hospitalizations are still a fraction of what they were early in the pandemic, reaching as high as 142 on April 1.

Of those currently in hospital, 10 are in intensive care.

Of note in BC’s #covid19 data today:
-another death (back to avg 1/day again)
-New cases down (had 58 a week ago, lowest in 2 wks)
-LTC outbreaks inching down
-hospitalizations inching up
-people being monitored growing (40+ more)
-6 more cases in the North#bcpoli @NEWS1130 pic.twitter.com/e4RgQFKTUh

— LizaYuzda (@LizaYuzda) September 1, 2020

Cases in B.C. now total 5,848, with 1,124 of those being active. Another 2,761 people are under active public health monitoring as a result of identified exposure to known cases, while the recovery rate is 77 per cent.

“As we transition to the next phase of our COVID-19 pandemic in B.C. and prepare for the respiratory season ahead, it is time for all of us to regroup and refocus our efforts to keep the number of new cases low and slow,” Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix say in a release.

“We have the knowledge and we have the tools that we can all use to be safe, no matter where we may be,” they add.

READ ALSO:

• 58 COVID-19 cases in B.C., more patients hospitalized

• Kelowna COVID-19 cluster declared over, but cases still surging

• B.C. sets new daily record with 124 COVID-19 cases

• Close to 1,000 British Columbians self-isolating after Kelowna COVID-19 exposure

• 21 new COVID-19 cases in B.C., 27 now linked to Kelowna exposure

“Keeping our groups small, using a mask when we are inside and in close contact with people we don’t know, giving others the space to stay safe in uncontrolled environments, washing our hands regularly and always staying home when ill – these important actions will help to protect our communities and keep our loved ones safe.”

No new outbreaks were reported, although those remain active in eight long-term care or assisted-living facilities and two acute-care wards.

A community exposure event has been issued for the El Furniture Warehouse on Granville Street in Vancouver. It happened last Tuesday and Wednesday.

As well, the Northern Health region, the First Nations Health Authority, and the Nisga’a Valley Health Authority have issued a joint alert for anyone in the Nass Valley who may have attended gatherings between Aug. 21 and 25.

A reminder:
Northern Health region, First Nations Health Authority and Nisga’a Valley Health Authority issued joint alert for anyone in Nass Valley who attended gatherings Aug. 21 to 25. Any Attendees asked to contact NVHA clinic. If symptoms develop, to immediately self-isolate

— Lasia Kretzel (@lkretzel1130) September 1, 2020

Any gathering attendees are asked to contact the NVHA clinic and if symptoms develop, to immediately self-isolate.

The B.C. government also extended the provincial state of emergency on Tuesday due to the pandemic.

“The state of emergency is extended through the end of the day on Sept. 15, 2020, to allow the government to continue to take the necessary actions to keep British Columbians safe and manage immediate concerns, such as recent outbreaks in some areas of the province,” says a release.

Meanwhile, the B.C. COVID-19 Research and Collaboration Symposium — a virtual collaboration of B.C.’s academic health sciences network, involving public health, epidemiology, social science and education researchers — began Tuesday.

“The symposium is focused on furthering our understanding of the impacts of COVID-19 and the related public health measures,” health officials say.

“To be successful, our COVID-19 plan is about all of us to doing our part – our world-leading researchers, our businesses and all of us as individuals. It is about protecting our neighbours and our colleagues, as we protect ourselves.”