Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.’s provincial health officer, and Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, have issued the following joint statement regarding updates on the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) response in British Columbia:

“Today, we are reporting 656 new cases of COVID-19, including three epi-linked cases, for a total of 33,894 cases in British Columbia.

“There are 8,796 active cases of COVID-19 in the province. There are 336 individuals currently hospitalized with COVID-19, 76 of whom are in intensive care. The remaining people with COVID-19 are recovering at home in self-isolation.

“Currently, 10,123 people are under active public health monitoring as a result of identified exposure to known cases and 23,774 people who tested positive have recovered.

“Since we last reported, we have had 140 new cases of COVID-19 in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, 408 new cases in the Fraser Health region, 10 in the Island Health region, 83 in the Interior Health region, 15 in the Northern Health region and no new cases of people who reside outside of Canada.

“There have been 16 new COVID-19 related deaths, for a total of 457 deaths in British Columbia. We offer our condolences to everyone who has lost their loved ones during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We have had a new health-care facility outbreak at The Harrison at Elim Village. The outbreaks at Holy Family Hospital and Jackman Manor are over. There have been no new community outbreaks.

“As we acknowledge World AIDS Day and celebrate this Day of Giving, today is a day for kindness, compassion and giving back, despite the obstacles of COVID-19.

“It is a time for all of us to pause, to think about the many people throughout our province, our nation and the world who have been impacted by COVID-19 and other global epidemics. It is also a time to think about what we can do to make a difference.

“Let’s be resilient in face of this surge. United and together, let’s make an impact today through our own personal actions.

“Without exception, follow the provincial health officer's orders in place. Remember that events, which refer to anything that gathers people together - whether on a one-time, regular or irregular basis - are not allowed for now. This includes religious, cultural or community events. Do not gather at home with anyone other than your household or core bubble. 

“Let’s make today a day to slow community transmission and continue to protect everyone in our province.”

Learn More:

For weekly health service delivery area case rates, visit page three of the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) situation report, updated each Friday: 
http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/data

For information on overdoses, visit: https://www.stopoverdose.gov.bc.ca

People in B.C. experiencing violence can access VictimLink, a toll-free, confidential multilingual service available 24/7 by calling or texting 1 800 563-0808 or emailing: VictimLinkBC@bc211.ca

For more details on the provincial health officer’s (PHO) Nov. 19 orders, visit: www.gov.bc.ca/covid19

Nov. 12, 2020, modeling update:
http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/modelling-projections

For the PHO's orders, visit:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/about-bc-s-health-care-system/office-of-the-provincial-health-officer/current-health-topics/covid-19-novel-coronavirus

To see a map of COVID-19 cases by local health area, visit: http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/data

If you are experiencing symptoms, find a collection centre near you to get tested: http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/testing

For mental health and anxiety support, visit: www.bouncebackbc.ca
Or: www.anxietycanada.com

For a listing of the community exposure events, go to:

BCCDC (flights, work sites, etc.): http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/public-exposures
Fraser Health: fraserhealth.ca/covid19exposure
Interior Health: https://news.interiorhealth.ca/news/public-exposures/
Island Health: https://www.islandhealth.ca/learn-about-health/covid-19/outbreaks-and-exposures
Northern Health: https://www.northernhealth.ca/health-topics/outbreaks-and-exposures
Vancouver Coastal: http://www.vch.ca/covid-19/public-exposures

For the latest medical updates, including case counts, prevention, risks and testing, visit: http://www.bccdc.ca/
Or follow @CDCofBC on Twitter.

For non-health related information, including financial, child care and education supports, travel, transportation and essential service information, visit: www.gov.bc.ca/covid19
Or call 1 888 COVID19 (1 888 268-4319) between 7:30 a.m. and 8 p.m. (Pacific time), seven days a week.

For the latest videos and livestreaming of COVID-19 media availabilities, visit:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/BCProvincialGovernment/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BCGovNews
YouTube: www.youtube.com/ProvinceofBC

A backgrounder follows.