Latest COVID-19 death in BC shows even small gatherings are "dangerous": Henry

Provincial health officials say that BC’s latest death shows how COVID-19 can be a dangerous threat, even in smaller groups.

On Thursday afternoon, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced one new death in the Fraser Health region.

“The tragedy of this death is one that I want to share with you,” she told reporters.”It is something that reminds us of how important the measures that we need to take are right now in protecting lives.”

Henry says that the latest victim of the virus was a person in their 80s who attended “a small birthday party,” which has less than 10 people inside the home.

“Unfortunately, somebody, unknowingly, brought COVID-19,” she explains. “Even though it was a small party in one person’s home, the majority of people who were in that home became infected with COVID-19.”

“This person, unfortunately, ended up in hospital and dying from it.”

Henry says that the tragic death reminds British Columbians that “the virus can’t tell the difference” and that “even a small gathering, when the virus is circulating, can be dangerous.”

• See also: 
  • BC health officials report 234 new coronavirus cases
  • Rising test positivity doesn’t surprise Fraser Health officials given “accelerating” caseload
  • Dr. Henry cracks down on household gatherings with new health order

Health officials announced a total of 234 new coronavirus cases on Thursday afternoon, for a recorded total of 14,109.

Earlier this week, Henry also issued a new public health order that household gatherings must be limited “in private homes to no more than your immediate household, plus “your safe six.”‘