COVID-19 update for Nov. 4: Here's the latest on coronavirus in B.C. - Standard Freeholder

Here’s your daily update with everything you need to know on the novel coronavirus situation in B.C. for Nov. 4, 2020.

We’ll provide summaries of what’s going on in B.C. right here so you can get the latest news at a glance. This page will be updated regularly throughout the day, with developments added as they happen.

Check back here for more updates throughout the day.

B.C.’S COVID-19 CASE NUMBERS

As of the latest figures given on Nov. 3:
• Total number of confirmed cases: 15,800 (3,017 active)
• New cases since Nov. 2: 299
• Hospitalized cases: 92
• Intensive care: 22
• COVID-19 related deaths: 272 (3 new)
• Cases under public health monitoring: 6,888
• Recovered: 12,430
• Long-term care and assisted-living homes, and acute care facilities currently affected: 29

IN-DEPTH: COVID-19: Here are all the B.C. cases of the novel coronavirus

B.C. GUIDES AND LINKS

• COVID-19: Here’s everything you need to know about the novel coronavirus

• COVID-19: Have you been exposed? Here are all B.C. public health alerts

• COVID-19 at B.C. schools: Here are the school district exposure alerts

• COVID-19: Avoid these hand sanitizers that are recalled in Canada

• COVID-19: Here’s where to get tested in Metro Vancouver

• B.C. COVID-19 Symptom Self-Assessment Tool

LATEST NEWS on COVID-19 in B.C.

3 p.m. – Health officials are set to share latest figures on COVID-19 in B.C.

Health officials are expected to update the number of COVID-19 cases, deaths and recoveries across the province.

12 a.m. – B.C. reports 299 new cases of COVID-19 as active cases break 3,000 for first time

On Nov. 3, officials reported another 299 cases and three new deaths. That brings the total number of reported cases in B.C. up to 15,800, of which 3,017 are active.

Another 6,888 are under public health monitoring and are in self-isolation. To date, 272 people have died as a result and 12,430 have recovered.

Currently, 92 individuals are hospitalized with COVID-19, 22 of whom are in intensive care. The remaining people with COVID-19 are recovering at home in self-isolation.

• Official health authority statement on Nov. 3, 2020

12 a.m. – Fraser Health urges residents to get tested, keep contacts lowOfficials are urging residents to get tested and keep their contacts low, as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to see a high level of transmission in the Fraser Health region.

Dr. Victoria Lee, CEO of the health authority, spoke at a briefing Tuesday outlining some of the steps the health authority has been taking to manage the pandemic amid B.C.’s second wave and a spike in the Fraser Health region.

“As you know, we are continuing to see concerning and rapidly increasing COVID-19 cases within our region,” said Lee, encouraging anyone who is experiencing symptoms to get tested.

“While we continue to do better than other parts of Canada, we must work together to bring down the rates of transmission in our community.”

Fraser Health reported 830 cases over the weekend, and another 187 new cases on Tuesday, along with 2,315 active cases in Fraser Health, prompting new public health orders designed to curb the spread.

Tuesday’s briefing also highlighted a second COVID-19 test collection centre that is set to open in North Surrey on Nov. 12.

12 a.m. – Busy October for Metro Vancouver real estate

Despite the pandemic or maybe because of it, Vancouver’s real estate market experienced its second busiest October on record with sales up 29 per cent over last year.

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver says home sales last month totalled 3,687, well above the 2,858 sales recorded in October of 2019 and a 1.2 per cent increase from the 3,643 homes sold in September.

“Home has been a focus for residents during the pandemic. With more days and evenings spent at home this year, people are rethinking their housing situation,” said Colette Gerber, chair of the REBGV board.

12 a.m. – Construction crew tests positive at Kamloops hospital

Construction work on a new patient tower at Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops has been shutdown after a group of construction workers tested positive for COVID-19.

Interior Health says the site voluntarily closed on Monday out of “an abundance of caution” and it’s unlikely that either hospital staff or patients were exposed.