Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announcing 17 COVID-19 related fatalities over the weekend. (Facebook/Gov't of B.C.)
covid-19 update

Nearly 2,000 new COVID-19 cases in B.C. over the weekend, 48 new in Island Health

Nov 23, 2020 | 4:02 PM

NANAIMO — Dr. Bonnie Henry says the fight against COVID-19 isn’t a typical marathon.

She compared the extensive fight to reduce rising case numbers to an Iron Man triathlon during her news conference on Monday, Nov. 23.

“It’s not just one leg, but three different strenuous legs. A swim, then a bike and then a marathon. We got through the swim. Now we’re on the bike ride and we’ve got some big hills to climb.”

She announced 1,933 new cases of COVID-19 within B.C. since Friday, for a total of 27,407 cases since the beginning of the pandemic. This is down by roughly 30 cases from the record-breaking numbers seen last weekend.

A further 48 cases were confirmed within Island Health, for a total of 495.

Data from Island Health shows there’s 152 active cases within the health authority. There’s 100 in the central Vancouver Island area, which includes Nanaimo and the Oceanside region.

“This is the most challenging of our time and we are all feeling the strain,” Dr. Henry said. “This virus doesn’t pause, though, when we’re tired and frustrated and want it to be over.”

She confirmed an additional 17 fatalities over the weekend across the province.

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