B.C. announces 125 more cases of COVID-19 but no new deaths

B.C. health officials announced 125 new cases of COVID-19 and no new deathsonWednesday.

In a written statement, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Stephen Brown, B.C.'s deputy health minister, said there are1,284 active cases of people infected with the disease caused by the novel coronavirus in B.C., down 16 from Tuesday and down 92 from a week ago.

Seventy-twopeople are in hospital, with 21in intensive care. Hospitalizations, which typically lag behind spikes and dips in new cases,are up by 10 from last Wednesday, when 62 people were in hospital.

The province's death tollremains unchanged at 234.

Public health is actively monitoring 3,202people across the province, who are in self-isolation due to COVID-19 exposure.

The positivity rate the number of COVID-19 cases detected in a day divided by the number of tests completed that day dropped below twoper cent last week, having peaked above seven per centin April.

While experts say the positivity rate doesn't show everything, alower rate could indicate that B.C.'s surge of cases has subsided, at least temporarily.

Officials said Wednesday that B.C. performed 9,752 tests on Tuesday the highest number to date. The province's test positiverate stood at 1.4 per cent, marking the eighth straight day it has been under two per cent.

Officials said there are no new health-care facility outbreaks. Outbreaks remain at 14 long-term care facilities and three acute-care sites.

No new community outbreaks have beenreported, although exposure events are still being monitoredacross the province.

Henry and Brown said British Columbianshave risen to the challenge of keeping the curve where it needs to be.

"While the ongoing focus is not always easy to maintain, now is the time to keep going to continue to support and care for each other through the efforts we make," theysaid.

"Take a moment to thank the people at your local grocery store, reach out to your elderly neighbour to help with their garden cleanup or send a note to a friend that you haven't seen for a while. A small kindness is good for us all."

A total of 9,138 people have tested positive since the start of the pandemic, and 7,591 people have recovered.