
A record 941 new cases of COVID-19 have been reported in B.C. today.
That’s significantly more than the previous one-day record of 762 new infections set six days ago, on Nov. 18.
In Interior Health, there were 49 new cases reported today, taking the active case count in the health authority to 302, with two people in hospital.
The death toll from COVID-19 is now 358 people after ten more deaths were reported, meaning there have been 68 deaths in the past 11 days.
Active cases in B.C. are now up to 7,732, which is 372 more cases than yesterday’s record. There are 284 people in hospital with COVID-19 and 61 people in intensive care.
“We need to slow the spread of COVID-19 in our province and that needs to happen now. That is why we have paused all gatherings, events and indoor group fitness activities,” Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry said.
“That is also why everyone, young and old, needs to pause their social interactions and increase their layers of protection and stay within their local communities as much as possible. We need to ease the pressure to allow us to get over this next hurdle, and importantly, give us the ability to once again enjoy those things that are important to all of us.”
In total B.C. has now seen 28,348 total cases of the virus, and of that, 19,605 people are considered to have recovered, about 69 per cent of the total.
Further, today, a new order from Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry mandated that all indoor group physical activities be suspended temporarily, while “new guidance is developed.” That includes gymnastics, dance studios, as well as martial arts, yoga, pilates, strength and conditioning, and cheerleading classes.
Dr. Henry’s order states such venues must use the new guidance to update and repost their COVID-19 safety plans before resuming operations.
Gyms and recreation centres that offer individual workouts and personal training sessions can remain open if they follow their existing safety plans.