68 new Covid cases in B.C., four in Interior

Aug 19, 2020 | 4:19 PM

B.C.’s daily COVID-19 case count is slightly lower today with 68 new cases, and four of those in the Interior.

It raises the number of active cases in the province to 798, with more than 2,400 people being monitored after exposure to known cases.

Ten people are in hospital with COVID-19, four in intensive care.

There have been no new COVID-19 related deaths, with the total still at 198.

Interior Health (IH) is reporting 19 active cases, with no one in hospital.

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Within IH, there are 166 cases linked to Kelowna since June 26. Six are active and in isolation.

The outbreak at Okanagan Correctional Centre in Oliver remains at six positive cases (all staff).

There have been no new health-care facility outbreaks. The outbreak at Richmond Lions Manor has been declared over. In total, eight long-term care or assisted-living facilities and one acute-care facility have active outbreaks.

There are no new community outbreaks.

A statement issued by Health Minister Adrian Dix and Dr. Reka Gustafson, deputy provincial health officer, said the ministry continues to step up the capacity of testing, in each health region and in their labs.

“Testing allows us to trace and contain the spread. The tests tell us who is positive for the virus, as well as how far the virus may have spread among close contacts when an outbreak or community cluster occurs.

The health officials said as the number of new cases increases, demand for testing also goes up.

“That is why each health region has been working to add further assessment and testing capacity. New assessment and testing centres and extended hours of service have been added in the Vancouver Coastal Health and Fraser Health regions to address increases in demand. Today, we have the ability to complete approximately 8,000 tests every day.

Dix and Gustafson added right now, anyone with symptoms can be tested, but the test is recommended only if you have symptoms.

“If you do develop symptoms, no matter how mild, your first step is to distance yourself from others and contact 811 or your health-care provider to arrange for an assessment.”

Covid case count by health region