Vancouver Island reported 10 new COVID-19 cases over the long weekend. Across the province, there were 549 positive tests and five deaths since Friday.
“Our condolences go out to the families and care providers in the communities that these five people, who died at a time when it is so challenging for us to come together, to mourn and to remember,” said Dr. Bonnie Henry, provincial health officer.
There are currently 77 people hospitalized with the virus in B.C., including 24 in ICU.
“We have 3,618 people currently under active public health monitoring and 8,974 people who are now recovered,” said Henry.
The province announced four new healthcare outbreaks over the long weekend, bringing the total number of active outbreaks to 20. There are no active outbreaks in Island Health hospitals or long-term care facilities, according to its website.
No new community outbreaks were reported, but there continue to be exposure events across B.C., according to Henry.
“The numbers are higher than what we would like to see and, on average, are higher than what we were seeing in the past week. But it is important to look at them in context,” said Henry.
She said a backlog of tests was cleared over the weekend when around 6,000 extra tests were processed. Henry said though clearing the backlog may have increased the number of new cases, the percentage of people testing positive remained stable.
“We continue to be under two per cent. Over the past weekend it was 1.39 per cent of the test that were done were positive across British Columbia,” she said.
Henry said the province saw an increase in COVID-19 exposures connected to recreational sports, resulting in some facilities closing. She said the provincial health authority is working with sports associations to develop safe reopening plans, which often means spectators not are allowed to attend.
“I know that’s a challenge for some people who want to be there to support their children, in particular, who are playing on teams. But we also know that spending time socializing or cheering with other parents and fans before, during and after games increases risks of transmission,” said Henry.
