Skip to content

Data error reported on closely watched COVID-19 numbers

Mistakes were caught and fixed in Wednesday's status update, as rolling daily numbers continue to change in B.C.
Dr. Bonnie Henry, along with Health Minister Adrian Dix
Dr. Bonnie Henry, along with Health Minister Adrian Dix, have been keeping British Columbians up-to-date on COVId-19 cases

B.C.’s closely watched COVID-19 cases were revised this week after a mistake in provincial data.

In their joint statement Wednesday, the province’s top health officials revealed the error.

What appeared to be a record high of 941 new cases reported on Tuesday — 678 in the Fraser Health region — was actually a mistake.

"We are also reporting a data correction in the daily case numbers in the Fraser Health region. Due to an error in the transfer of data from a lab to the health authority, there were errors in the new cases reported from Nov. 17 to 24. The data has been reviewed and authenticated,” Dr. Bonnie Henry stated in a press release on Wednesday.

Added to that case load was another 443 positive COVID-19 cases in the Fraser Health region in the 24-hour period since Tuesday.

It’s not clear what the mistake was or how they affected the numbers.

However, other media are reporting a number of changes took place. The correction saw total case numbers increase on several days, but also saw Tuesday’s record-breaking 941 new cases revised down to 706.

More information will be released on BC Centre for Disease Control’s COVID-19 dashboard in the coming days.

In the adjusted numbers, the provincial health officer and Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, said there were 738 new cases of COVID-19 in the previous 24 hours, for a total of 29,086 cases in British Columbia since January.

There were also 7,816 active cases of COVID-19 in the province, 294 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19, 61 of whom are in intensive care.  

These numbers are expected to be added to today, Thursday, with further reporting.

Indoor mask-wearing was also underscored in the statement released to the media, including a comprehensive list of the locations where the order applies, as well as the individuals who are exempt from this order is available at: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020EMBC0061-001960

"It is important to remember that while masks are now required in many locations, not everyone is able to wear a mask. If you see someone without a mask, understand that while we are all in the same storm, each of our circumstances is unique,” Henry said. "This virus is putting a strain on all of us, which is why compassion and care for others is so important right now.”