Seventh straight day of more than 200 new COVID-19 cases in B.C.

VICTORIA (NEWS 1130) — The province reported 217 new COVID-19 cases Tuesday, as well as outbreaks at two more healthcare facilities while extending B.C.’s state of emergency further.

It’s the seventh straight day of more than 200 new cases in B.C. The record, 317, was set on Saturday.

The outbreaks are at care homes in Burnaby, the Felburn Care Centre and St. Michael’s Centre, bring the number of actives ones at health facilities in the province to 21.

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry, in a statement with Deputy Health Minister Stephen Brown, reported no new deaths.

The good/the bad
(*repost *again* ugh with new case # typos fixed again)
*No deaths
*Most hospitalizations since Apr 29 (high was 149 Apr 4 – it took 5 days then to go from 81 to 149 in hospital)
*Most LTC since May 2 (24 that day the all-time high)#bcpoli #covid19 @NEWS1130 https://t.co/XPMcocYEUx pic.twitter.com/lkywfw3aG4

— LizaYuzda (@LizaYuzda) October 27, 2020

However, she again encouraged people to wear masks in public indoor spaces.

“A mask is especially helpful in public indoor spaces where you don’t know the people around you and the risks they may have. As a result, the expectation is that masks will be worn within public areas of healthcare facilities, shopping malls, grocery stores, community centres, and other public spaces – as you enter, exit and move around,” Henry said.

“Public indoor spaces are quite different from our schools, offices and businesses that have established learning groups and work cohorts, supported by comprehensive COVID-19 safety plans.”

Of the new cases, 145 are in the Fraser Health Authority, or 67 per cent.

COVID-19 cases in B.C. now total 13,588, while deaths remain at 259.

Of 2,322 active cases, 84 people are in hospital — up seven from Monday — while 27 are in critical care.

READ ALSO: B.C. limits size of gatherings in private homes, sets weekend record with 817 COVID-19 cases

Another 5,101 people are under active public health monitoring after being exposed to the virus.

Henry issued a new public health order on Monday, limiting the number of people who can gather in private homes.

“In addition to washing our hands often and staying home when ill, our protective layers include limiting our time with people outside of our household, keeping our groups small, giving people the space to stay safe and if that is challenging, using a non-medical mask,” she said.

Social gatherings in private homes are now limited to your immediate household plus a maximum of six other people. This is a province-wide order that applies to all homes for all occasions.
The full order will be posted online in the coming days: https://t.co/JW11RCCImF https://t.co/yE3qKUofaE

— Fraser Health (@Fraserhealth) October 27, 2020

Gatherings in homes are limited to those who live there and six others.

“Always using our layers of protection reduces the potential for the virus to spread and is an important part of our COVID-19 response in B.C.”

The state of emergency is extended through the end of the day on Nov. 10.