The number of people in hospital with COVID-19 in B.C. has hit a six-month high, according to data released Wednesday by the province, as the case tally continues to climb.
Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced 287 new confirmed cases on Wednesday — including three in the Island Health region — and two new deaths. The Island now has nine known active cases.
Eighty-seven people are in hospital, the highest number seen since April 29 and three more than on Tuesday. Of those, 25 are in intensive care units. No one is in hospital with COVID-19 in the Island Health region.
The total of 1,818 new cases recorded in the past week is the highest to date. Most have been in the Fraser Health region, although there have been new cases across B.C.
Public health officials have declared an outbreak at a seniors assisted-living facility in Surrey, bringing the total number of long-term care or assisted-living sites in the province with active COVID-19 outbreaks to 21.
Just a day after Canada surpassed 10,000 COVID-19 deaths, the annual report from the chief public health officer of Canada says the number of people who died in long-term care facilities accounted for nearly 80 per cent of COVID-related fatalities during the first wave of the pandemic.
Officials also say there has been a new community outbreak at the Okanagan Men’s Centre, a counselling and addiction treatment centre.
B.C. health officials are asking people to refrain from holding private parties and gatherings this Halloween weekend to prevent the virus from spreading in the community.
The province has had 13,875 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 261 deaths have been linked to the virus.
There have been 253 confirmed cases in the Island Health region since the start of the pandemic, and six deaths attributed to the virus.
— With a file from Glacier Media
