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 COVID-19 response in British Columbia:
“Today, we are reporting 357 new cases, for a total of 140,953 cases in British Columbia.
“There are 4,636 active cases of COVID-19 in the province. A further 134,521 people who tested positive have recovered.
“Of the active cases, 331 individuals are currently hospitalized with COVID-19, 113 of whom are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation.
“Since we last reported, we have had 80 new cases of COVID-19 in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, 210 new cases in the Fraser Health region, 12 in the Island Health region, 33 in the Interior Health region, 22 in the Northern Health region and no new cases of people who reside outside of Canada.
“There have been three new COVID-19 related deaths, for a total of 1,661 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.
“There is one new outbreak at Chartwell Carlton Care (Fraser Health). The outbreaks at Dawson Creek and District Hospital and Orchard Haven are now over.
“Recently, it has come to our attention that two outbreaks at assisted-living facilities in Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) had not been previously reported publicly. These outbreaks occurred in late 2020 and had been managed by VCH with the involved facilities. This information has been provided today and included on the Outbreak Report on the BC Centre for Disease Control’s (BCCDC) website.
“2,687,360 doses of Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in B.C., 138,908 of which are second doses.
“Vaccine appointments are now being booked for the 310,000 B.C. youth aged 12-17. They will be welcome at the clinics we have open throughout the province – whether at our large immunization sites, or in some cases, clinics set up for whole-of-community immunization.
“Our goal is to have all youth vaccinated with their first dose before the end of the school year.
“Like our adult program, all youth need to register online, by phone or at a Service BC centre. To book an appointment, youth can do it themselves or can have a parent, guardian or trusted adult assist them.
“This is an exciting next step in our provincewide immunization program. Just like we have seen countless people celebrating their vaccine with photos to friends and family on social media, so too do we look forward to also seeing young adults joining the team of millions of people across our province who are doing their part.
“Many youth have been negatively impacted by this virus. Now, they too will have the opportunity to be vaccinated, to get protected and also protect those around them.
“Getting vaccinated is how we will be able to put the COVID-19 pandemic behind us. We’re making significant progress and by registering and booking your vaccination, combined with staying small and staying local, we will all be one step closer.”
Learn More:
To see the May 20, 2021, PowerPoint presentation, visit: http://news.gov.bc.ca/files/20210520_PHO-Presentation.pdf
To view the latest registration numbers by age, visit: http://news.gov.bc.ca/files/5-10-21_vaccine_registration.pdf
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 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 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, visit:
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: www.facebook.com/BCProvincialGovernment/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BCGovNews
YouTube: www.youtube.com/ProvinceofBC
Two backgrounders follow.
