Another record high number of COVID-19 cases recorded in B.C.

There were a record high 165 new COVID-19 cases in B.C. in the last 24 hours, provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry reported today, Sept. 17.

The previous high was 139 on Sept. 10.

Four of the new cases were in the Interior Health region, bringing that total to 489 and the provincial total to 7,663.

There was one new death, bringing that total to 220, with 1,705 active cases, 2,949 people being monitored, 57 people in hospital of which 22 are in intensive care. There have been 5,719 people who have recovered.

Since the start of the pandemic there have been 3,937 cases in Fraser Health region, 2,714 in Vancouver Coastal Health region, 196 in the Vancouver Island Health region, 241 in the Northern Health region and 86 non-residents.

Dr. Henry stressed safe distancing is essential to limiting the spread of the disease keeping six the maximum number of people we socialize with and to keep those as the same six people.

“Seeing different people on different days means we see more risk of transmission,” she said.

A lot of the spread is people socializing, even in small groups, but in close proximity indoors and outdoors, talking loudly, sharing food and even kissing.

She said there were no plans to bring in further restrictions because of the increased numbers of new cases.

“It’s not either or,” Dr. Henry said. “We must continue for our community well being, both for the economy and for our health.”

Henry also stressed that 50 is the maximum number of people who can gather together, but just because 50 people can fit into your backyard doesn’t mean it can be done safely.

– This story was corrected at 8:22 a.m. on Sept. 18, 2020 to correct the number of deaths in B.C.

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