For a second week in a row, the daily COVID-19 cases are on a negative uptick with average for the last two weeks going well above 20 for each day. Authorities are worried especially after people are not doing the dutiful, including a recent incident where an Indo-Canadian realtor celebrated his 50th birthday at Fraserview Hall which led to a spread that affected over 20 people. To make matters worse, the birthday party took their COVID-19 positive act to Kelowna where further spread of the virus is feared.

By DESIBUZZCanada Staff

VICTORIA – For a second week in a row, the daily COVID-19 cases are on a negative uptick with average for the last two weeks going well above 20 for each day. 

Authorities are worried especially after people are not doing the dutiful, including an alleged recent incident where an Indo-Canadian realtor celebrated his 50th birthday at Fraserview Hall which led to a spread that allegedly affected over 20 people. To make matters worse, tsome of the attendees allegedly took their COVID-19 positive act to Kelowna where further alleged spread of the virus is feared, according to widely shared posts on social media, including photos of the birthday party as well as full details of the participants.

DESIBUZZCanada spoke to Vancouver Coast Health, which is in charge of the Vancouver and surrounding health authority, and officials with the organization said they are aware of the "Fraserview Hall" incident but a public notification is not required for this particular incident. The spokesperson also said that they are not able to provide information on the spread from this incident due to privacy reasons and that that the Health Authority is satisfied that they were able to reach attendees through contact-tracing and thus no public notification is required.

DESIBUZZCanada reached out to the organizers to give their side of story after they sent us a legal notice to stop us from reporting on the incident but they never replied back. They claimed in the legal notice that the health authorities were satisfied with the protocol they took at the birthday party. But when when we asked about the social media reaction and claims and whether it was their position that no spread had occurred, they never replied back to us.

There has been a lot of negative reaction on social media following this incident that people are not following pandemic protocol and if we are not careful, there will be a spike of cases similar to eastern Canada and US in BC.

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

"Today, we are announcing 28 new cases, for a total of 3,198 cases in British Columbia.

"There are 207 active cases of COVID-19 in the province and 2,802 people who tested positive have recovered.

"Of the total COVID-19 cases, 18 individuals are hospitalized, two of whom are in intensive care. The remaining people with COVID-19 are recovering at home in self-isolation.

"Since the start of the pandemic, there have been 1,032 cases of COVID-19 in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, 1,676 in the Fraser Health region, 136 in the Island Health region, 235 in the Interior Health region, 68 in the Northern Health region and 51 cases of people who reside outside of Canada.

"There have been no new COVID-19 related deaths, for a total of 189 deaths in British Columbia. We offer our condolences to everyone who has lost their loved ones during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"There has been one new health-care facility outbreak at St. Paul's Hospital in Vancouver and the outbreak at Maple Hill long-term care facility in the Fraser Health region has been declared over. In total, one long-term care facility and two acute-care facilities have active outbreaks.

"There are now four cases of COVID-19 at Krazy Cherry Farm, in addition to several community exposure events. Public health teams are actively contracting tracing and requesting the assistance of anyone who may have been exposed to monitor themselves closely and follow public health guidance.

"There is also one new case in a worker from Alberta reported at the Site C work camp in the Northern Health region. BC Hydro is following all protocols. Public health teams are working closely with those on site and are monitoring the situation closely.

"An alert has been issued for potential community exposure in the Vancouver Coastal Health region from July 7 to 16 at the Sandman Inn on Davie Street. Anyone who may have been exposed is asked to monitor themselves for symptoms and limit contact with others for 14 days.

"While public health teams have been extremely effective in rapidly identifying and containing transmission, the recent number of flare-ups in our communities is a concern.

"Many new cases are individuals in their 20s and 30s and transmission is directly connected to social events. You need to be aware that while the severity of illness for those in their 20s and 30s is typically much less, your ability to spread to others is just as high.

"We are asking everyone to use your connections and influence - whether on social media or in-person - to share the message to socialize safely and spread kindness, not the virus.

"Be the voice that helps to keep COVID-19 away from your friends and family.

"On a boat, at a resort or at someone's house, if you are hosting an event, you have an obligation to keep your gatherings small, know everyone who is attending and be able to reach them afterwards, if necessary.

"The best way to do that is to have a designated-contact-keeper. And if you are attending an event, make sure you give your contact information to the host when you arrive.

"At home or on vacation, young or old, we all have a role to play to keep ourselves and each other safe."

Quick Facts:

* Assisted living, long-term care homes and seniors' rental buildings with ongoing COVID-19 outbreaks are as follows:

* Vancouver Coastal Health:

* Holy Family Hospital long-term care facility