Health
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 three periods. From Jan. 15 to 16, we had 584 new cases. From Jan. 16 to 17, we had 445 new cases and in the last 24-hours, we had a further 301 new cases.
“This results in a total of 1,330 new cases, including four epi-linked cases, for a total of 61,447 cases in British Columbia.
“There are 4,326 active cases of COVID-19 in the province. There are 343 individuals currently hospitalized with COVID-19, 68 of whom are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation.
“Currently, 6,865 people are under active public health monitoring as a result of identified exposure to known cases and a further 54,656 people who tested positive have recovered.
“Since we last reported, we have had 281 new cases of COVID-19 in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, 548 new cases in the Fraser Health region, 65 in the Island Health region, 257 in the Interior Health region, 166 in the Northern Health region and 13 new cases of people who reside outside of Canada.
“To date, 87,346 people have received a COVID-19 vaccine in British Columbia. With notice of a temporary reduction in Pfizer vaccine supply in Canada, we have adjusted our immunization program to match availability. Our focus continues to be on immunizing all those in long-term care, as well as the people who care for the residents, and starting dose two at 35 days.
“Starting today, the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) will provide a vaccine dashboard. Initially, the dashboard will publish provincewide data, but will be expanded to include specific health authority information. This dashboard is in addition to the weekly vaccine report, also available on the BCCDC website.
“There have been 31 new COVID-19 related deaths, for a total of 1,078 deaths in British Columbia. We offer our condolences to everyone who has lost their loved ones during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We have had a new health-care facility outbreak at Eagle Ridge Manor. The outbreaks at McKinney Place, AgeCare Harmony Court, Laurel Place and Capilano Care Centre are over.
“We have to remember that even though our COVID-19 immunization program is underway, the risks remain high. This is why we all need to continue using our layers of protection and follow the public health orders, to keep everyone without a vaccine as safe as possible.
“The COVID-19 vaccines are incredibly effective, greater than what we see in the vaccines for many other illnesses. But right now, it is our individual efforts that have the biggest impact.
“Regardless of the virus variant, we stop the spread in the same way we have done since the start of the pandemic. We have the tools and it is in our control.
“Let’s show each other that we remain committed to doing our part to keep everyone safe, to protect our seniors and Elders who have not yet had the vaccine, our neighbours and loved ones.”
Learn More:
For vaccine information, visit the BCCDC dashboard: http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/data
Or: www.bccdc.ca
Healing in Pandemic Times: Indigenous Peoples, Stigma and COVID-19 is available on the BC Centre for Disease Control’s website
And: https://www.nccih.ca/485/NCCIH_in_the_News.nccih?id=464
Or: https://www.indigenoushealthnh.ca/initiatives/healing-pandemic-times
Mental health support:
Mental health and anxiety support: www.bouncebackbc.ca
Or: www.anxietycanada.com
Or: http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/about-covid-19/mental-well-being-during-covid-19
Or: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/managing-your-health/mental-health-substance-use/virtual-supports-covid-19
For the latest updates, guidance and information on COVID-19 and where to get tested:
The latest medical updates, including case counts, prevention, risks and to find a testing centre near you: http://www.bccdc.ca/
Or follow @CDCofBC on Twitter.
Provincial health officer’s orders and guidance:
Guidance on new restrictions: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/covid-19-provincial-support/restrictions
Non-health related information:
Financial, child care and education support, travel, transportation and essential service information: 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:
BC Centre for Disease Control (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 Health: http://www.vch.ca/covid-19/public-exposures
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.
