With over 1900 cases and 17 deaths over the weekend; the First few days of expanded measures shows no bend in the curve

While it wasn't likely that the recently installed public health orders would be reflected in the case counts of areas outside of the Lower Mainland, the more stricter guidelines of the last few weeks in that area of the province don't seem to have provided for much of  bend in the curve of COVID, with the Fraser Health region still far and away the province's ultra hot zone for the virus.

Today's report was a live streamed event from Doctor Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix and such is the state of the current elevated levels that the two public health officials plan three such briefings per week now, up from the twice a week efforts of just a week ago.

.“Today, we are reporting on three 24-hour periods. From Nov. 20 to 21, we had 713 new cases. From Nov. 21 to 22 we had 626 new cases and in the last 24 hours, we have had a further 594 new cases.  

This represents 1,933 new cases of COVID-19, including 11 epi-linked cases, for a total of 27,407 cases in British Columbia. 

There are 7,360 active cases of COVID-19 in the province. 

There are 277 individuals currently hospitalized with COVID-19, 58 of whom are in intensive care. 

The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation. 

Currently, 10,200 people are under active public health monitoring as a result of identified exposure to known cases and 19,069 people who tested positive have recovered. 

“There have been 17 new COVID-19 related deaths, for a total of 348 deaths in British Columbia. We offer our condolences to everyone who has lost their loved ones during the COVID-19 pandemic." 

Across the Province the listings of new cases looked as follows: 414 new cases of COVID-19 in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, 1,304 in the Fraser Health region, 48 in the Island Health region, 104 in the Interior Health region, 61 in the Northern Health region an increase that brings the Northern Health totals to 639 reported cases since January.

There were two new cases of COVID recorded in people who reside outside of Canada. 

With the numbers reported still alarmingly high, Dr. Bonnie Henry reinforced the need to follow the guidance of the recent weeks closely to try to reverse the speed of the reports of COVID that we have seen in recent months. 

“We’re in a very challenging time of the COVID-19 pandemic and we are asking for everyone’s help to slow the spread of the virus in our province. 

As we have seen, this virus doesn’t pause when we are tired and doesn’t wait for us to catch up. 

This means that right now, we all need slow down our social interactions and increase our layers of protection to get over this next hurdle together. Over the next two weeks, we need to reduce the level of transmission in our province to relieve the stress on our health-care system and keep our schools and workplaces open. 

It is about putting our social gatherings with anyone outside of our immediate household on hold and only doing those things that are essential and safe right now. 

We’re asking you to put the safety measures at the top of your list and focus on making a difference, rather than thinking about shortcuts or workarounds." 

You can review today's full COVID-19 statement here.   

The BC Centre for Disease control has some valuable Coronavirus notes related to COVID-19 you can explore that information here.

You can learn more about the outbreak from both the Province and the Federal government from the links below:

Federal Government site

British Columbia Government site

The World Health Organization website also offers up the latest advisories on the global situation.

More from  Northern Health can be reviewed here 

You can review our archive of past statements and local information here.

Local governments and organizations have also provided for increased awareness of COVID-19 issues, those past advisories  can be reviewed here.

For notes from across Canada and British Columbia we have been archiving the latest items through our political portal Darcy McGee

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