[embedded content]
UPDATED: 3:30 p.m.
There have been 34 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in British Columbia, 13 of which have come in the province’s Interior.
The new cases bring the total number of positive tests in the province to 3,362, with 304 total positive tests in the Interior Health region. Active cases in B.C. have once again risen to 285, the highest number since late May, while the Interior now has 81 active cases.
And for the first time in several weeks, the Interior Health region has a single hospitalization due to COVID-19. Seventeen people are hospitalized with the virus province-wide.
Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said the number of confirmed cases related to multiple exposure events in Kelowna earlier this month has risen to more than 70, but close to 1,000 people across B.C. are currently self-isolating, after having close contacts with COVID-positive people related to the Kelowna cases.
“Some of those people will become ill in the next few weeks,” she said.
For the ninth day in a row, no new virus-related deaths have occurred in B.C. over the past 24 hours, and deaths remain at 189.
But Dr. Henry said the province is “trending in a direction we don’t want to go.”
On Wednesday, Dr. Henry announced amendments to previous public health orders around bars and restaurants that will restrict any walk-up liquor service, requiring patrons to remain seated at all times while in establishments. The new amendments will also ban dance floors in bars. Dr. Henry said details of these amendments will be available online in the near future.
Outbreaks remain at two acute-care facilities and one long-term seniors care home in B.C.
ORIGINAL: 2:55 p.m.
Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix provide an update on the COVID-19 situation in British Columbia.
Wednesday’s press conference was not originally scheduled by the province, but was added Wednesday morning.
