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 COVID-19 response in British Columbia:
“Today, we are reporting 853 new cases, for a total of 128,742 cases in British Columbia.
“There are 7,996 active cases of COVID-19 in the province, with 11,628 people under public health monitoring as a result of identified exposure to known cases. A further 118,937 people who tested positive have recovered.
“Of the active cases, 503 individuals are currently hospitalized with COVID-19, 178 of whom are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation.
“Since we last reported, we have had 181 new cases of COVID-19 in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, 574 new cases in the Fraser Health region, 30 in the Island Health region, 43 in the Interior Health region, 25 in the Northern Health region and no new cases of people who reside outside of Canada.
“There has been one new COVID-19 related death, for a total of 1,577 deaths in British Columbia. Our condolences are with the family, friends and caregivers of the people who have died as a result of COVID-19.
“1,749,375 doses of Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in B.C., 90,296 of which are second doses.
“The focus of the COVID-19 vaccine program is to protect as many people as possible, as quickly as possible, and to address hot spots and reduce transmission everywhere.
“In addition to our age-based program, worker program and pharmacy program, we are using vaccines in hot-spot communities and workplaces. This targeted outreach increases all of our protection by breaking the chains of transmission in these locations.
“No matter what program you are eligible for, everyone in B.C. who is 18 years and older should register either on the Get Vaccinated website or by calling 1 833 838-2323. We are expecting much more vaccine to arrive in the coming weeks. By registering, you will be able to receive the first available appointment.
“With or without a vaccine, we all need to continue to hold steady with our individual efforts – sticking with our layers of protection, staying small and local, and following all of the orders in place.
“Your efforts, kindness and resilience are what will make the difference for all of us to get through this pandemic together.”
Learn More:
Register for your vaccine now: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/covid-19/vaccine/register
Or call 1 833 838-2323.
For more information about current COVID-19 travel restrictions, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/covid-19/travel/current
Provincial health officer's orders and guidance:
Guidance on restrictions: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/covid-19-provincial-support/restrictions
The latest vaccine information:
For vaccine information, visit the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) dashboard: http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/data Or: www.bccdc.ca
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.
For data regarding ongoing outbreaks in long-term care, assisted-living and independent-living facilities in B.C., visit: http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/data#outbreak
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
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:
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 Health: http://www.vch.ca/covid-19/public-exposures
For the latest videos and livestreaming of COVID-19 media availabilities, visit:
Facebook: https://facebook.com/BCProvincialGovernment/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BCGovNews
YouTube: https://youtube.com/ProvinceofBC
Two backgrounders follow.