COVID cases jump in BC, two dead

Jul 13, 2020 | 4:30 PM

Cases of COVID-19 in British Columbia have jumped over the last three days and an isolation order has been issued for an Oliver fruit company.

Two more people have died.

There are 62 new known cases of the novel coronavirus for a total of 3,115 cases in British Columbia, said a joint statement from Health Minister Adrian Dix and Dr. Bonnie Henry, the provincial health officer on Monday.

Seven new cases are being reported in the Interior Health region.

There are 208 active cases of COVID-19 in the province, they said.

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“Of the total COVID-19 cases, 14 individuals are hospitalized, five of whom are in intensive care,” said the release. “The remaining people with COVID-19 are recovering at home in self-isolation.”

Here are the numbers in terms of cases:

Vancouver Coastal Health 1,012
Fraser Health 1,643
Island Health 135
Interior Health 209
Northern Health 65
51 cases from people who reside outside of Canada

“There have been two new COVID-19 related deaths in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, for a total of 189 deaths in British Columbia,” the pair said.

“Interior Health has issued an isolation order for Krazy Cherry Fruit Co. in Oliver due to two positive COVID-19 cases associated with this farm. Public health teams are monitoring the situation closely and have placed restrictions on those living and working on the farm to limit the potential for further transmission.”

A separate release from Interior Health stated one case is self-isolating at home in the community, while the second individual – a temporary foreign worker (TFW) – is isolating in a location off the farm.

“At this time, a link between these two cases has not been identified,” said IH.

The isolation order applies to all 36 TFWs and nine additional individuals on the farm.

Access to the farm is also restricted with the exception of deliveries of essential supplies with appropriate precautions in place.

“The cause of illness in the two positive cases has not been determined, but both individuals are presumed to have acquired it in B.C. The TFW went through the 14-day self-isolation program and tested negative for COVID-19 before starting to work at the farm.”

Meanwhile, Dix and Henry said there have been no new health-care facility outbreaks.

Also mentioned in the provincial news release were the community exposure events in the Kelowna downtown and waterfront area between June 25 and July 9.

“Anyone who was at the Discovery Bay Resort from July 1 to 5 and Boyce Gyro Beach Lodge on July 1 is directed to self-isolate. Anyone who was at Cactus Club on Water Street from July 3 to 6 and Pace Spin Studio on July 2, 4, 5, 7 to 9 is asked to monitor themselves and contact public health immediately to arrange to get tested should symptoms develop.”

Earlier Monday, Dix said several COVID-19 exposures linked to Kelowna are believed to stem from private parties held by people in their 20s and 30s.

People are once again advised there should be no more than 50 people at any gathering.

“Fewer faces and bigger spaces is our guide to move forward. This is important to remember when attending private parties, which tend to be indoors, gathering people from a variety of places.

“Spending an extended period of time, even an evening together with a large number of people in an enclosed space, increases the likelihood that you will be exposed to someone with COVID-19.

“As much as possible, British Columbians are asked to avoid closed spaces, crowds and close contact with others,” the news release stated.

by Kate Bouey

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