Dr. Bonnie Henry provided an update to COVID-19 case counts on Thursday, July 30. It was her last in-person briefing before the August long weekend. (BC Government Flickr)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

FINAL WARNING

‘This will be our COVID summer:’ province hopes to avoid Canada Day repeat during August long weekend

Jul 30, 2020 | 3:32 PM

NANAIMO — For the third straight day, the number of COVID-19 cases on Vancouver Island remained unchanged at 143.

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry confirmed 29 new cases elsewhere in British Columbia, a majority of which were in the Lower Mainland.

In her final in-person briefing before the BC Day long weekend, Dr. Henry urged people not to repeat the large gatherings which have spiked the number of cases in recent weeks.

“This is going to be our COVID summer…a summer of doing things differently,” Dr. Henry said. “What we saw is that when our groups are too big and we have too many people outside of our household bubble getting together, we know the potential for spread of the virus increases.”

Parties over the Canada Day period in the Kelowna area are largely blamed for a mini-surge in cases across the province.

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Earlier, Dr. Henry said around 1,000 people were isolating after being potentially exposed to the virus.

“We probably all know somebody who has bent the rules to make it work for them and that is not a surprise,” Dr. Henry said. “Until it hits home, we think we are immune to many of the effects of things like this virus.”

Dr. Henry acknowledged isolation and changes to society had been very difficult on young people, particularly those transitioning from school into the workforce or university.

“I know it is an anxiety provoking time, it has been a challenge for young people whether it’s teens or people in their 20’s or 30’s…where we don’t know how long this is going to last.”

According to the province, 242 active cases remain in British Columbia, including three on Vancouver Island.

Five people remain in hospital elsewhere in B.C., with two of those patients currently receiving intensive or critical care.

No new deaths were recorded as a result of COVID-19 in the last 24 hours.

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