BC health officials to give last live COVID-19 update of 2020

Health officials in British Columbia are scheduled to give the last live COVID-19 update of 2020 on Thursday afternoon.

The announcement follows 485 new test-positive coronavirus cases on Wednesday, along with 11 deaths.

There are currently 7,551 active infections across the province, including 379 people in hospital with COVID-19 and 77 in intensive care. Additionally, 9,320 people are under “active public health monitoring,” meaning they’re in mandatory self-isolation because they were a close contact of an infected person.

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  • BC’s daily COVID-19 cases hold steady with 485 new infections

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry also announced a new Public Health Order banning liquor sales at bars, restaurants, and retail stores from 8 pm on New Year’s Eve to 9 am on New Year’s Day. The order is meant to curb New Year’s Eve parties and associated COVID-19 transmission.

Henry said that while she is not concerned about folks enjoying a meal with their household bubble at a restaurant on New Year’s Eve, she feels the temporary order will prevent people from gathering later into the night.

She added that the order is something officials have “been considering for some time” and it was “prudent” to take action ahead of New Year’s Eve.

“The food is perfectly fine and the meal service can happen but the last call has to happen at 8 pm,” she said.

Thursday’s live update is scheduled to begin at 3 pm and can be streamed online.