I know there are some that get upset about this fact, but the struggles B.C. is having containing #COVID19 is pretty much the same story across all of North America and Europe right now.

Except much worse.

For a while, the model in Europe was the Czech Republic — where more than 100 people have died every day for weeks.

4,000+ new deaths in Europe total today.

America has always struggled containing #COVID19, but daily cases and hospitalizations are now at their all-time high, and deaths are once again increasing.

In Canada, every province between Alberta and Quebec has a higher number of hospitalization per capita than B.C., some by a lot.

The point of these stats isn't to gloat.

The point is that this is extremely challenging everywhere, and B.C. still has an opportunity.

Hospitalizations have been going up steadily for months, but haven't spiked.

The positivity rate outside Fraser Health is still at a level that experts generally say can be gotten under control quickly.

There still seems to be a window — for both B.C., and for the government.

But that window also seems to be closing quickly!

And if you've been reluctant to follow the guidelines, or have close friends or family who are in that boat, despite months of rising cases, you're pretty much out of time.

Do the math. Consider the consequences.

If your argument is the government should have ramped up restrictions quicker this time, or got over confident in its long-term approach because the first wave worked so well, I think that's very fair! Argue away!

I'll keep trying to give a big picture view.

Weekly positivity rate is now out for B.C.

- 4.9% across B.C.
- 7.3% Fraser Health
- 3.5% Vancouver Coastal
- 2.5% Northern
- 2.1% Interior
- 0.6% Island

All up from yesterday.

(remember, last week the province decided we didn't need to know the daily rate anymore)