B.C. hits highest ever count for active COVID-19 cases after confirming 236 new infections

British Columbia's surge in new COVID-19 cases is showing no sign of slowing, with another 236 cases confirmed since Friday afternoon.

There are now 743 active cases of the illness in the province, which is the highest total to date, and the addition of 100 new cases on Saturday marked the highest one-day tally so far.

Monday's briefing was led by Deputy Provincial Health Officer Dr. Rka Gustafson, who said another two people have died from the novel coronavirus in B.C., bringing the province's total to 198.

She said the majority of new cases continue to involve young people, who often have mild versions of the COVID-19 illness caused by the virus.

"This actually makes things quite challenging. That's because some people might not realize they have COVID-19, and they can inadvertently spread it," Gustafson said.

"You could easily spread the virus to someone who is vulnerable."

A total of 4,594 people in B.C. have had confirmed infections withthe virus since the start of the pandemic. Of those,four are in hospital, including three in intensive care, marking the lowest hospitalization count since a provincial state of emergency was declared.

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Health Minister Adrian Dix says although hospitalizations are down, active cases are on the rise.

Monday's update also included two new outbreaks in the health-care system, including theCzorny Alzheimer Centre in Surrey and the Arbutus Care Centre in Vancouver.

B.C. is now testing about 3,500 people a day for the virus a total of 10,500 tests were performed over the weekend.

Health Minister Adrian Dix said he spent much of the weekend engaging with young people to encourage them to prevent thespread ofthe virus.

He added that surveillance efforts over the weekend have resulted in the closure of some nightclubs and other establishments that won't be permitted to reopen without the permission of public health officials, including the Ivy Lounge in Vancouver's Trump Tower.

Officials have also reviewed banquet halls to determine how well they are following public health rules.

Dix said he expects the pandemic to continue through2021 and into 2022.

"This new normal is going to be in place for a long time."

Stricter enforcement coming

Dix promised an announcement from provincial Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth later this week about stricter and more comprehensive enforcement measures.

"We cannot let a few wreck it for everybody else," Dix said.

He also addressed private parties inside people's homes, saying that there are no excuses for bending the rules.

"We need to hold each other responsible for doing the right thing," Dix said. "There is no immunity. To be successful, we have to work together every day."

But he added that it's difficult to address issues with gatherings inside homes because of privacy issues, so the main approach will be through stronger messaging.

Though outrage continues to pop up on social media over gatherings on beaches and in parks, Gustafson said B.C. has had very few cases linked to outdoor transmission of the virus, and the major concern for public health officials continues to be indoor gatherings.

'Concerning' trend continues

Last week, Dix and Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henryappeared sombre at their briefings as they revealed modelling showingthe number of contacts people are having are about 70 per cent of normal, which could cause the daily number of new cases to climb to 100 by September.

Henry described the data as "concerning."

Still, she said that theprovince's contact-tracing efforts could temper that growth.

Last week, the province announced it had temporarily hired500 more health-care professionals to work as contact tracers, who can help make sure that everyone who has been exposed to thecoronavirus is in isolation and monitoring themselves for symptoms.

Care-home cases

Over the weekend, staff at two more long-term care homes in MetroVancouver tested positive for COVID-19.

On Sunday morning, Vancouver Coastal Health reported one staff member at Arbutus Care Centre in Vancouver had tested positive. That afternoon, Fraser Health confirmed a positive test in a staff member at Czorny Alzheimer Centre in Surrey.

Both employees are now self-isolating at homeand both facilitieshave increased cleaning and infection regimens.

The most recent update from provincial health officials on Fridaysaid COVID-19 outbreaks were continuing at seven other long-term careor assisted-living facilities and one acute-care facility.

Going into the weekend, Dix urged residents to do all they could to bend the B.C. COVID-19 curve back down.

He also said thatpublic health officers would be checking banquet halls and large parties on Saturday and Sundayto make sure health protocols to prevent the spread of the coronaviruswere being followed.