46 COVID-19 deaths in B.C. over the weekend
Posted November 30, 2020 3:16 pm.
Last Updated November 30, 2020 5:52 pm.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – The province has recorded its deadliest weekend of COVID-19, with 46 people losing their lives to the virus.
The majority of those who died were residents in long-term care in the Fraser Health region.
“Each of these husbands, wives, sons, daughters, grandparents, all of whom lost a loved one this weekend,” Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said Monday. “These people have faces, have names, have stories, have families. And while it is the families of those who died we’re feeling the most right now. This tragedy is all of our tragedy. If you are thinking that it may be okay to bend the rules, please remember that this virus takes lives.”
The record number of deaths comes as the province announces 2,364 new infections, which included nearly 300 that were not previously counted because of a data error.
Q: 46 ppl dying is like 2/3 of ICU dying over weekend. Does this affect ICU death numbers?
Henry: About 8 of deaths this weekend were in hospital, some in ICU. Most were in LTC homes. Most of the time they stay in care home during these outbreaks. Doesn’t reflect ICU deaths
— Lasia Kretzel (@lkretzel1130) November 30, 2020
An outbreak was declared at Newton Elementary school, which has been shut down for two weeks.
Outbreaks were reported at five health-care facilities, including Mountain View Village, Fleetwood Villa, Lakeview Care Center, St. Jude’s Anglican Home, and Veterans Memorial Lodge.
Since the first week of November, the number of patients hospitalized because of the virus has tripled, climbing to 316. Seventy-five of those patients are in the intensive care unit.
Health Min @adriandix says 69.7% of BC hospital beds are full
ICU capacity is at 52.8% of both base (normal) beds and surge beds
74.3% of base ICU beds
Dix says we can deal with what we have right now, but when COVID-19 so present, it’s an extraordinary challenge for health staff— Lasia Kretzel (@lkretzel1130) November 30, 2020
Health Minister Adrian Dix said the province is able to handle the current hospitalization, but it is an “extraordinary challenge for staff.”
While COVID-19 numbers have gone up in B.C.’s second wave, Henry said it is a stark reminder for British Columbians to follow health measures.
“I know I’ve heard issues around people travelling, whether it’s for work or also recreational travel and bringing the virus back with them, things that we should not be doing right now. We know that it is associated with gatherings even small gatherings, where people are coming together and thinking it’s okay, but it spreads to those who are in your family in your household and that is what we need to pay attention to right now.”
However, she notes cases seem to be starting to level off.
BC #covid19 Nov 30
Record weekend deaths – 46
178 died of Covid in Nov, nearing 1/2 deaths from start
Record hospitalization & ICU
Record LTC/acute care outbreaks
176 more cases in LTC, 129 more residents than Friday
Oldest person who died this weekend: 103#bcpoli @news1130 https://t.co/1p0r3yXsni pic.twitter.com/VZ6Dtt2w8D— LizaYuzda (@LizaYuzda) December 1, 2020
There are almost 9,000 active cases of the virus while B.C. has confirmed 33,238 infections so far.
