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 on new cases of COVID-19 from Dec. 31 through to today. From Dec. 31 to Jan. 1, we had 565 new cases; from Jan. 1 to 2, we had 607 new cases and from Jan. 2 to 3, we had 500 new cases. In the last 24 hours, we had 539 new cases.

“This represents 2,211 new cases of COVID-19, including 22 epi-linked cases, for a total of 54,201 cases in British Columbia.

“There are 6,823 active cases of COVID-19 in the province. There are 351 individuals currently hospitalized with COVID-19, 76 of whom are in intensive care. The remaining people with COVID-19 are recovering at home in self-isolation.

“Currently, 8,785 people are under active public health monitoring as a result of identified exposure to known cases and a further 45,229 people who tested positive have recovered.

“Since we last reported, we have had 389 new cases of COVID-19 in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, 1,301 new cases in the Fraser Health region, 64 in the Island Health region, 288 in the Interior Health region, 169 in the Northern Health region and no new cases of people who reside outside of Canada.

“Since the start of immunizations up to yesterday, 24,139 people have received a COVID-19 vaccine in British Columbia. While our December allotment was limited, the smaller initial deliveries have allowed us to refine our processes and address any hurdles that have emerged as we ramp up our provincewide immunization program.

“Our approach is to maximize distribution, while balancing supply – vaccinating as many high-risk people as possible in this initial period.

“There have been 45 new COVID-19 related deaths since Dec. 31, for a total of 946 deaths in British Columbia. We offer our condolences to everyone who has lost their loved ones during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We have had six new health-care facility outbreaks at Braddan Private Hospital, Kin Village, Madison Care Centre, Royal City Manor, Williams Lake Seniors Village and Creekside Landing. The outbreaks at Chilliwack Lifestyles, Finnish Manor, Holyrood Manor, Northcrest Care Centre, St. Judes Anglican Home, The Gardens at Qualicum Beach, The Residence at Clayton Heights and Three Links Care Centre are now over.

“It may be a new year, but the COVID-19 pandemic is not yet over, and we all need to continue to do all we can to keep ourselves and those around us safe.

“Today, many people are getting back to work and back to school after a winter break, which means reminding ourselves about using our layers of protection – wherever we may be.

“We thank and commend the many, many people throughout B.C. who put their usual traditions and celebrations aside and followed the public health orders to help protect their communities and each other from COVID-19.

“Since the start of the pandemic, many sacrifices have been made, including up to the very last day of the year.

“Despite these efforts, we know some people chose to bend the rules. As a result, we encourage everyone to pay close attention to the key symptoms of COVID-19 – especially given how easily the virus can spread.

“In particular, if you develop a cough, a loss of sense of smell or taste, fever or chills or have difficulty breathing, contact your health care professional or call 811 to get tested right away.

“The people getting sick today contracted the virus days ago, which is why the actions we take today make such a difference to our well-being tomorrow.

“We want 2021 to be our year of success with COVID-19, so let’s all resolve to continue to do our part to get through this storm.”

Learn More:

For B.C.’s COVID-19 Vaccination Update for Jan. 4, 2021, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/files/2021.01.04_COVID19_Vaccination_Update.pdf

For updated provincial health officer's (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 B.C. 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.