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COVID-19 UPDATE

34 new COVID-19 cases identified in Interior Health, two new virus-related deaths reported in B.C

Jul 27, 2020 | 3:30 PM

VICTORIA — Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced 81 new cases of COVID-19 in B.C today (July 27), for a total count of 3,500 cases so far.

36 of these were identified between Friday and Saturday (July 24-25), 21 between Saturday and Sunday (July 25-26), and 24 between Sunday and Monday (July 26-27).

34 of the new cases in B.C were identified within Interior Health, and the regional total now stands at 353 cases.

Interior Health states in an email that as of today, 78 cases in IH are linked to the Kelowna cluster, and 12 additional cases from other jurisdictions are also linked to the outbreak.

The total cases related to the Kelowna cluster is now 90, and investigations into recent cases are ongoing.

No new cases at Kelowna General Hospital were reported over the weekend.

Dr. Henry states that two additional deaths have been reported, both of whom were long term care residents within Vancouver Coastal Health. There have been 193 virus-related deaths in the province so far.

Here is where the 3,500 cases in B.C. have been found:

  • 1,064 (Vancouver Coastal)
  • 1,800 (Fraser Health)
  • 143 (Vancouver Island Health)
  • 353 (Interior Health)
  • 80 (Northern Health)
  • 60 (Reside outside of Canada)

Dr. Henry says there are 264 active cases, with 11 people in hospital, and three in critical care or ICUs.

On the recovery side, the province says 3,043 people are now fully recovered from the virus.

No new healthcare outbreaks were reported today, but three remain active.

Health officials note that one new community outbreak has been reported in Fraser Health at Fraser Valley Packing (a blueberry packing plant). An investigation and testing began over the weekend.

Additionally, there are now 14 confirmed cases associated with the community outbreak on the island group of Haida Gwaii.

Around B.C, Dr. Henry says over 1,010 people are currently required to self isolate after being exposed to COVID-19.

“If you have been told to self-isolate, this is not optional,” Dr. Henry stresses, “This is a requirement. This is what you need to do now for the duration of the incubation period from when you were exposed to ensure that if you develop symptoms, you’re not going to pass it on to others – particularly those that you’re closest to.”