Provincial health officials have announced 294 new COVID-19 cases in B.C today (Aug. 31), along with four more virus-related deaths.
The cases are from a three day reporting period, which are laid out as follows:
86 new cases were reported between Friday and Saturday (Aug. 28-29).
107 new cases were reported between Saturday to Sunday (Aug. 29-30).
101 new cases were reported between Sunday to Monday (Aug. 30-31).
Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says there are now 1,107 active cases throughout B.C.
28 people are hospitalized, 10 of whom in intensive or critical care. Four more deaths have also been reported, bringing B.C’s COVID-19 fatality total to 208.
Dr. Henry says there are 2,723 people under active public health monitoring due to close contact with a confirmed case.
There have now been 5,790 cases reported in B.C., spread through the province as follows:
1,900 (Vancouver Coastal)
3,042 (Fraser Health)
175 (Island Health)
440 (Interior Health)
154 (Northern Health)
79 (Reside outside of Canada)
Of those, 4,406 people have now recovered from COVID-19.
One new healthcare outbreak has been identified at a long term care home within Fraser Health. Two other outbreaks have been declared over within Fraser Health, and Vancouver Coastal Health.
Dr. Henry says there are ten active outbreaks as of Monday – eight in long term care or assisted living facilities, and two in acute care. No new community outbreaks have been reported, but a community alert has been issued within Northern Health.
The Kelowna cluster that began in July has now been declared over, as no new cases associated with that have been reported over the last few weeks.
Heading into the fall, Dr. Henry urges residents to clamp back down on their social interactions and remain vigilant about limiting community spread.
“We travelled, we enjoyed our province, and many of us recharged. Now we must slow down on our social interactions, and we must prepare for the respiratory season ahead,” stresses Dr. Henry. “We’ve talked many times about how we will likely have a second wave. We’ve seen a surge in cases but we’ve managed to keep our curve flat and we need to continue to do that work as we move into our respiratory season.”
She says success in the next phase will require everyone to step back and avoid large, indoor gatherings.
