139 COVID-19 cases a ‘direct result’ of how British Columbians spent Labour Day

VICTORIA (NEWS 1130) — The 139 COVID-19 cases reported Friday are a reflection of how British Columbians spent Labour Day, according to the province as public health officials announced a total of 179 new cases.

“Today, we are announcing 139 new cases, including seven epi-linked cases. We are also reporting 40 historic cases that were tested between Aug. 11 and Sept. 16 for people who did not have personal health numbers,” says a statement from Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix.

“The cases we are seeing today are a direct result of how we spent our Labour Day long weekend,” they add.

BC #COVID19 Update

*179 new cases (including 40 historic cases)
*Three deaths (223)
*1,803 active case
*59 ppl in hosp., 20 of whom in ICU

“The cases we’re seeing today are a direct result of how we spent our Labour Day long weekend. Let’s… turn this trend around.” says DBH.

— Sonia Aslam (@SoniaSAslam) September 18, 2020

“No one intends to pass the virus onto friends or family, but it is very easy to do. It can take up to two weeks for symptoms of COVID-19 to develop and in that time, we can inadvertently spread it to others. That is why the actions we take as individuals today are so important to the well-being of our communities tomorrow. Let’s choose safe, let’s choose small and let’s choose to protect the people we care about most.”

The province also reported three deaths related COVID-19, bringing the total in B.C. to 223.

It is always a hard day when there are new deaths to report. Overnight, 3 more people died of #COVID19 in BC.

These 3 people were loved & their loved ones are grieving – caregivers, children, siblings, friends.

Dr Henry & I extend our sincere condolences for your losses.

— Adrian Dix (@adriandix) September 18, 2020

Cases now total 7,842.

Of 1,803 active cases, 59 people are in hospital, including 20 in intensive care.

No new outbreaks were reported, although a second one at Royal Arch Masonic Home, long-term care facility, has been declared over.

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Outbreaks remain active at 10 long-term care or assisted-living facilities and five acute-care units.

Schools continue to issue alerts when an exposure has occurred and action is required.

Jordan Tinney, superintendent of the Surrey school district, issued an exposure alert Friday afternoon, confirming someone with COVID-19 attended Latimer Road elementary on Sept. 10.

“For schools, public health teams will contact individuals through contact tracing,” health officials say.