Editor’s note: The B.C. health ministry made an error in reporting Fraser Health data between Nov.17 and Nov. 24. This story originally reflected the data officials released on Nov. 19; it has now been updated with the new daily cases and Fraser Health numbers.
There have been 765 new COVID-19 cases recorded in B.C., as well as a further death.
On Thursday (Nov. 19), provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix announced a plethora of new measures to combat the rising number of new infections – the most notable being a health order for mandatory mask wearing for those in public indoor spaces and restrictions on social gatherings outside of immediate households.
ALSO READ: Masks now mandatory in all public indoor and retail spaces in B.C
Broken down by region, the new cases include: 178 in Vancouver Coastal, 537 in Fraser Health, 12 in Vancouver Island, 28 in Interior Health and 11 in Northern Health.
During a news conference, Henry said that there are 6,929 active confirmed cases across B.C. Of those, 217 are in hospital, 59 of whom are in critical care.
The new measures come as B.C. is on track to see 1,000 new cases each day, according to lates epidimiological data.
“Right now, I have concerns that we have transmission happening even if it is supposedly with the appropriate measures in place,” Henry told reporters.
“I think it’s fair to say we’re all a little tired of this and people perhaps got a little complacent in some areas. Now we’re seeing that we need to pay attention in aspects of the business.”
Henry and Dix issued pleas to British Columbians, calling on them to avoid non-essential travel.
More to come.
@ashwadhwani
ashley.wadhwani@bpdigital.ca
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
Want to support local journalism? Make a donation here.
