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BC has again broken its record of single-day COVID-19 cases with 589 recorded today.

BC experiences explosive growth of COVID-19 cases

By Richmond Sentinel

Published 3:57 PST, Fri November 6, 2020

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The number of positive COVID-19 cases is growing exponentially in BC.

After yesterday’s 425 new cases, the province has again shattered its single-day record with 589 cases identified today.

Today’s new case count includes five epidemiologically linked cases for a total of 17,149 in BC. Of the new cases, 146 were in the Vancouver Coastal Health region (which includes Richmond), 402 in Fraser Health, 24 in Interior Health, 12 in Northern Health and just five in the Vancouver Island Health region.

Amid the increase, health authorities said keeping businesses open is important to all of us, and the vast majority of businesses are doing all they can to keep staff and customers safe.

“As we have done with many sectors, public health teams are continually reviewing guidance and working with individual business owners to help navigate the challenges of COVID-19 and continue to operate safely,” said health authorities. “When faced with the gathering storm clouds of increased exposures and transmission in a particular sector, we step up inspections to identify gaps and, at times, increase the safety measures that are required. Only if it is clearly demonstrated that a business or sector is unable to operate safely are businesses ordered to close.

Health authorities added that they are requesting businesses—particularly those in the Lower Mainland—review their COVID-19 safety plans to ensure steps are being taken to protect everyone.

There are 3,741 active cases, an increase of 352 from yesterday. Nearly 8,000 people (7,887) are being monitored by public health as a result of identified exposure to known cases. Additionally, COVID-19 hospitalization numbers have climbed to highs BC hasn’t experienced since April, with 104 people in hospital today and 28 of those people in intensive care. Sadly, there were two new virus-related deaths for a total of 275 province-wide.

Health authorities also announced six new healthcare facility outbreaks and declared one existing outbreak over. Active outbreaks continue at 31 longterm care or assisted living facilities and four acute care facilities. There has been one new community outbreak at a hospital construction site in Kamloops, and exposure events continue around the province.

The BC Centre for Disease Control has also implemented a texting service for new cases of COVID-19. People in the province can sign up to receive text notification of both positive or negative test results, in addition to test results being available through Health Gateway and other online portals. For more information, go to: www.bccdc.ca/results

For a list of community exposure events, click here.

For the latest medical updates, including case counts, prevention, risks and testing, visit: http://www.bccdc.ca/ or follow @CDCofBC on Twitter.