FILE PHOTO
Image Credit: SUBMITTED / Province of B.C.
November 17, 2020 - 3:31 PM
B.C.'s top doctor is reporting another record-breaking day of COVID-19 cases in the province, with 717 new cases recorded since yesterday and an additional 11 deaths.
The number of COVID-19 cases continue to be primarily located in the Lower Mainland with 177 new cases in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, 484 in the Fraser Health region, 16 in the Island Health region, 18 in the Interior Health region, 21 in the Northern Health region and one new case of a person who resides outside of Canada, according to the statement, said provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry, in a joint statement issued Nov. 17, with Health Minister Adrian Dix.
Monday also saw a record-breaker for the number of COVID-19 cases, with nearly 2,000 cases reported over the weekend.
READ MORE: New record 1,959 COVID-19 cases in B.C. since Friday; 9 deaths
There are 6,589 active cases of COVID-19 in the province, 198 individuals are currently hospitalized with the virus, 63 of whom are in intensive care, Henry said in the statement. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation.
"Currently, 10,960 people are under active public health monitoring as a result of identified exposure to known cases and 16,469 people who tested positive have recovered," she said.
The 11 new deaths bring B.C.'s total to 310 since the start of the pandemic. B.C. has also had 23,661 since then.
A new healthcare facility outbreak was announced at Tsawaayuss-Rainbow Gardens in Port Alberni, the first long-term care outbreak for the Island Health region.
"We need everyone working together to stay small, stay local and help us slow the spread of COVID-19 in our province," Henry said. "The biggest impact you can make is through the small actions you take every day.
"Just as we put on our jackets to keep us warm in the rain and snow, so too are our COVID-19 safety layers there to protect all of us. Washing your hands, keeping a safe distance and always wearing a mask in places where you are around people you don't know - these things make a difference."
Many of the new cases on Vancouver Island, in the Interior and in the North are connected to travel to and from the Lower Mainland, she said, urging British Columbians to stay local.
"When we spend time inside with people from outside of our household, our work group or school cohort, the risks increase for everyone. Instead, let's stay connected virtually and make it a safer winter for all of us," she said.
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