www.theasianstar.com
Vol 20 - Issue 26
Saturday, August 7, 2021
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Covid-19’s Delta variant driving fourth wave in BC
T
here were 744 new cases of Covid-19 reported in BC over tow day period of last Wednesday and Thursday, a big jump from an average of 185 cases a day over the previous four days. This means B.C.’s seven-day average daily case count continues to climb, after bottoming out on July 5 with 38 cases a day on average following the third wave of Covid-19 infection. The new numbers show the province is in the early stages of a fourth wave of infection. According to the B.C. Ministry of Health, active cases of the disease are also climbing and are now at 1,764 (220 more than the previous day). There are 55 people being
treated in hospital with Covid-19, including 23 patients in intensive care. There were no
new deaths reported, with five outbreaks in health-care settings. In an interview with The Canadian Press, a University of B.C. professor
and mathematical modelling expert, Sarah Otto, said the number of Covid-19 cases caused by the more infectious Delta variant is doubling every seven to 10 days. “The Delta variant increases the viral load by about 1,000-fold, making it much easier to catch and transmit,” Otto said. She said B.C. is beginning a fourth wave of Covid-19 infections, but how high it will get and how fast it will rise depends on everybody’s behaviour. The two things people can do to prevent the wave from getting “very high” is get vaccinated and avoid indoor crowded spaces without Continued on page 7
BC has more Covid-19 cases over the past week than any other Canadian region BC health officials have announced 742 new cases of Covid-19 and one more death over the last four days, an average of 185 new cases a day. The province’s seven-day rolling average increased 32 per cent over the long weekend to 196, the highest it’s been since June 5. In a statement, the provincial Ministry of Health said there are currently 1,544 active cases of people infected with the novel coronavirus in B.C., the highest since June 13. The new cases by day are: July 3031: 160 new cases. July 31-Aug. 1: 196 new cases. Aug. 1-2: 185 new cases Aug. 2-3: 201 new cases.
A real ‘Chak De’ moment for Indian hockey as the Nation goes crazy over Bronze medal - 1st Olympic hockey win in 41 years A resolute Indian men’s hockey team rewrote history as it claimed an Olympic medal after 41 years, defeating a plucky Germany 5-4 to win the bronze in an edge-of-the-seat play-off match of the ongoing Games here on
A jubilant Indian team ejoyoing real ‘Chak De’ moment after winning Bronze
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Many BC residents considering moving somewhere more affordable: poll A significant number of B.C. homeowners and renters are considering moving somewhere more affordable in B.C., suggests a new poll. The Insights West Poll found 46 per cent of homeowners say they are considering either moving to a cheaper area in B.C., or leaving the country within five years. Of those, a significant minority of homeowners are thinking of cashing out on their home in the next two years, and either renting (six per cent), retiring (six per cent) or travelling (eight per cent). A further 11 per cent are thinking of selling and moving somewhere else in B.C. and nine per cent are considering moving to another country to afford a better home or buy
Thursday.
something less expensive, according to the poll. As for Metro Vancouver homeowners specifically, 13 per cent are considering selling and buying in a cheaper area in the region or moving out to the Fraser Valley. It also found 26 per cent of renters are considering buying or moving to somewhere more affordable, and 60 per cent say the pandemic is part of the reason. “The relentless climb of real estate prices in B.C. and in Metro Vancouver in particular has resulted in many homeowners Continued on page 6