B.C. announces 155 new cases of COVID-19 and 1 more death

B.C. health officials announced 155 new cases of COVID-19 on Friday, bringing the total number of cases since the pandemic began to 11,189provincewide.

There are currently 1,513active cases of the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, as well as 3,713people who are under active public health monitoring as a result of exposure to known cases, according to a newsrelease Friday from the Ministry of Health.

Of those active cases, 72people are in hospital with 26 in intensive care.

There has been one new death from the coronavirus in the past 24 hours, bringingthe total provincial death toll to 251.

Health officials say 9,387people in B.C. have recovered from the virus.

On Thursday, Henry's update included the first confirmed case of multi-system inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C), a rare condition found in children, that has been linked to COVID-19 through laboratory tests.

MIS-C has clinical similarities to Kawasaki Disease, with symptoms including fever, abdominal pain, rashes, conjunctivitis and inflammation around the mouth, hands and feet.

Henry said the case is a good reminder that while COVID-19 is generally less severe in children, no age group is immune from suffering serious illness caused by the novel coronavirus.

New outbreak in Merritt

Health officials say there has been one new community outbreak at the main Tim Hortonsrestaurant in Merrittleading the establishment to close voluntarily.

The Interior Health authority says the business had precautionsin place to prevent transmission to the public and its investigationhas determined there was no exposure to the general public.

It says all confirmed cases are isolating while contact tracingis underway and the authority will increase testing capacity inMerritt to address any possible additional demands, nor is there anyevidence that COVID-19 is spread through foodmade by infected people.

There also continues to be exposure events around the province which are posted on the websites of the B.C. Centre for Disease Control andhealth authorities.

There are nonew outbreaks in the health-care system. The outbreak at Kin Village has been declared over.leaving 15 active outbreaks in long-term care and assisted living and twoin acute care units of hospitals.

Voting safely

Henry reminds British Columbians that the provincial election is just over a week away and that advanced votingis available throughout the province. She saysElections BC has COVID-19 safety plans in place for all locations.

"If you are planning on voting in person, remember to give others the space to stay safe when going to vote, wash your hands before and after voting, and consider using a mask if distancing is a challenge," Henry statedin thewritten statement.

She says those who are self-isolating or feeling unwellcan still vote without going to a voting place and should contact Elections BC at 1 800 661-8683 for more information or assistance.

Flu shots please

Henry reiterated this week the importance of getting vaccinated for the flu. She said sooner is better than later, but it's best to get a flu shot by late October or early November.

Though demand has been unusually high this year and some pharmacies are already reporting running out of the vaccine, Henry said supplies will be replenished throughout the season.