Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.’s provincial health officer, and Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, have issued the following joint statement regarding updates on the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) response in British Columbia:

“Today, we are reporting 683 new cases of COVID-19, including two epi-linked cases, for a total of 51,983 cases in British Columbia.

“There are 7,803 active cases of COVID-19 in the province. There are 374 individuals currently hospitalized with COVID-19, 76 of whom are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation.

“Currently, 9,364 people are under active public health monitoring as a result of identified exposure to known cases and a further 42,129 people who tested positive have recovered.

“Since we last reported, we have had 105 new cases of COVID-19 in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, 447 new cases in the Fraser Health region, 11 in the Island Health region, 84 in the Interior Health region, 36 in the Northern Health region and no new cases of people who reside outside of Canada.

“Since the start of immunizations, 17,510 people have received a COVID-19 vaccine in B.C.

“There have been eight new COVID-19 related deaths, for a total of 901 deaths in British Columbia. We offer our condolences to everyone who has lost their loved ones during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We have had three new health-care facility outbreaks at Ridge Meadows Hospital, Langley Memorial Hospital long-term care and Williams Lake Seniors Village. The outbreak at Saanich Peninsula Hospital, Dr. Al Hogg Pavilion (second occurrence), the Banfield Pavilion and the community outbreak at Big Horn Hotel have been declared over.

“A new year brings a fresh start for us all, and we must start 2021 on the right foot. This year, that means following provincial health officer orders to protect your friends, family and all your communities.

“This New Year’s Eve, we can still celebrate, but as we are seeing around the globe, tonight this must be done in different ways than before. Many of us will be ordering our favourite meals in. Others are having a games night in with their household or celebrating with friends online.

“Whatever your plans may be this evening, please remember how important it is to follow the public health orders and restrictions. By staying local, keeping our circles small and following provincial health orders, we can welcome in the new year on a safe and celebratory note.

“We thank all British Coumbians for their sacrifices, big and small, as we came together in adversity, in the face of this global pandemic over the past year. We have shown our kindness, compassion and resiliency. We wish everyone a better, healthy and safe 2021.”

Learn More:

For updated PHO orders and new guidance:

For new orders, visit:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/health/about-bc-s-health-care-system/office-of-the-provincial-health-officer/covid-19/covid-19-pho-order-nightclubs-food-drink.pdf

For details on new restrictions, visit:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/covid-19-provincial-support/restrictions

For updated PHO orders, visit:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/about-bc-s-health-care-system/office-of-the-provincial-health-officer/current-health-topics/covid-19-novel-coronavirus

Find out where to get tested:

If you are experiencing symptoms, find a collection centre near you to get tested: http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/testing

For mental health, anxiety and other supports:

For mental health and anxiety support, visit: www.bouncebackbc.ca
Or: www.anxietycanada.com
Or visit the BCCDC for further supports: http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/about-covid-19/mental-well-being-during-covid-19

For more information on overdoses, visit: https://www.stopoverdose.gov.bc.ca

People in BC experiencing violence can access VictimLink, a toll-free, confidential multilingual service available 24/7 by calling or texting 1 800 563-0808 or emailing: VictimLinkBC@bc211.ca

For non-health related information, including financial, child care and education supports, travel, transportation and essential service information, visit: www.gov.bc.ca/covid19
Or call 1 888 COVID19 (1 888 268-4319) between 7:30 a.m. and 8 p.m. (Pacific time), seven days a week.

COVID-19 exposure events, updates and information by health authority:

BCCDC (flights, work sites, etc.): http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/public-exposures
Fraser Health: fraserhealth.ca/covid19exposure
Interior Health: https://news.interiorhealth.ca/news/public-exposures/
Island Health: https://www.islandhealth.ca/learn-about-health/covid-19/outbreaks-and-exposures
Northern Health: https://www.northernhealth.ca/health-topics/outbreaks-and-exposures
Vancouver Coastal: http://www.vch.ca/covid-19/public-exposures

For the latest medical updates, including case counts, prevention, risks and testing, visit: http://www.bccdc.ca/
Or follow @CDCofBC on Twitter.

For the latest videos and livestreaming of COVID-19 media availabilities, visit:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/BCProvincialGovernment/ 
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BCGovNews 
YouTube: www.youtube.com/ProvinceofBC

A backgrounder follows.