A total of 425 new COVID-19 cases were confirmed in B.C. on Thursday. Just seven were in Island Health. (BC Government)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

CASE SPIKE

Island Health COVID-19 cases jump by 7, over 400 new across B.C.

Nov 5, 2020 | 3:24 PM

NANAIMO — Island Health continues to escape much of the worsening COVID-19 storm across B.C.

A new daily record of 425 cases in B.C. were announced by provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry on Thursday with seven linked to the Island Health region.

The number of active cases increased by over 250 to 3,389 across B.C. in all health authorities. Within Island Health, 26 cases are active including six in the central region. Twelve are present to the south with eight in the north of the health authority.

A total of 97 people are in hospital province-wide, 24 of whom receiving intensive care, however no hospitalized patients are in the Island Health region.

The slate of new positive tests came from 11,020 tests conducted province-wide during the past 24 hours, increasing B.C.’s test-positive rate to 3.8 per cent and above the previous ‘safe’ benchmark of two per cent.

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Dr. Henry stopped short of delivering any new health orders during her briefing on Thursday, Nov. 5, however indicated the province is reaching a tipping point.

“We did anticipate an increase as we moved indoors into the cooler weather, but it is incredibly important that we manage this increase effectively. I am asking once again for your help to slow the spread of this virus in B.C. so that we can keep our schools, businesses and communities open and safe.”

A majority of the new cases continue to come from the Lower Mainland. All but 21 of the cases announced Thursday were in the Vancouver Coastal and Fraser Health health authorities.

New COVID-19 cases have forced sporting leagues and recreational programming to stop in the Chilliwack region in a bid to stop the spread of the virus.

“We have seen this spin classes in gyms, dance classes inside, we’ve seen it with activities…where we congregate indoors. If you live with your parents or elders, or work in essential services or healthcare, you need to refrain from these risky activities in these areas right now.”

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