Twenty-seven new cases of COVID-19 have been identified in British Columbia’s latest 24-hour stretch, including one epi-linked case, which ends its four-day run of at least 30 daily cases.
Despite the relatively lower daily update, the 27 cases are still part of a concerning trend in B.C. as the province tries to control the spread of the respiratory virus. The latest update marks the 14th day of the last 16 that the province has recorded at least 20 cases. Before the recent stretch, it had not surpassed the 20-daily case mark since June 3.
Throughout the pandemic in B.C., there have been 3,419 cases of COVID-19, which includes 2,934 people who have recovered (up by 36 since Thursday). One-hundred and ninety-one people have died, including one in the past 24 hours.
There remain 294 active cases in the province, which is down by 10. Of those active cases, there are 12 people in hospital (down by four), while there remain three in intensive care.
Through a press release, health officials announced a new community outbreak in Haida Gwaii. There are 13 total confirmed cases of COVID-19 part of the outbreak, including one person who has recovered. The initial source of transmission is still being investigated.
“There also continues to be additional community exposure events throughout the province, including at Fossello’s clothing store in Kelowna,” said the press release by health officials.
On Thursday, officials announced that they’re going to add restrictions that limit the number of guests and visitors allowed at rental properties, including houseboats, rooms, Airbnbs and houses. The news came after a number of possible high exposure events, particularly in and around the Kelowna area, that have been linked to at least 70 cases.
Officials believe many of the infections in the Kelowna outbreak stemmed from two private parties at hotel resorts around Canada Day. Before the patients were notified by health officials of their infections, some of them visited Kelowna businesses. The virus continues to spread throughout the province in connection to the events, but it’s also led to at least seven public exposure warnings in B.C.’s Interior Health region.
