Kovid-19 lost 6 lives over the weekend as BC announced 317 new cases

Five of the dead were elderly people, she said. One of the deaths occurred in the northern health area – the first to that health area.

The province currently has 1,594 active cases of COVID-19 infection – 58 hospitalized, nine since Friday, and 16 in critical care.

“It’s time to go back to school, back to work, to do everything we can to redraw the COVID-19 curve. The number of new cases is putting a lot of pressure on our public health teams. Are under public health supervision.

Health Minister Adrian Dix said the positive test rate over the past three days was 1.85 per cent, slightly lower than the recent average. Keeping positive test rates is the goal set by the World Health Organization Less than five per cent, Especially when schools are reopening.

Henry commented on the current air quality in BC, which has been declining due to smoke from wildfires burning south of the border, warning that the same people who are most susceptible to COVID-19 will also be affected by the conditions.

“We know that the mixture we inhale with wildfire smoke contains many cells that can irritate the nose and throat and lungs and especially affects those who are very young and our adults,” Henry said.

“And we know that they are the most adversely affected people from COVID-19. We know that pregnant women are most affected by wildfires.”

Henry said outdoor exercise can be discouraging in smoky conditions, and when clothing masks are tightly fitted, it reduces the number of cells that inhale.

“We can help our public health teams by doing our part with the choices we make every day. The symptoms of COVID-19 can be very mild, especially in young, healthy people. It can be irritating from seasonal allergies, mild colds or, now, wildfire smoke, but you have concerns Or if in doubt, stay away from others and get tested, ”she said.

Dix and Henry have repeatedly appealed to British Columbians to keep their social bubbles small, to keep physical distance when in public, and to wear masks when that is not possible.

Dix’s latest message is “sticking to six” – choose to socialize a group of six and turn it into a consistent group.