BC reports 1,330 new COVID-19 weekend cases
By Province of British Columbia
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 — including four reported in Interior Health.
“We are saddened to report an additional four deaths related to COVID-19 over the weekend bringing our total in Interior Health to 50,” said Susan Brown, president and CEO, Interior Health.
“I offer our condolences to the families, caregivers and loved ones of these four people who all passed in long-term care. We are in our most challenging period of this pandemic but hope is on the horizon as we continue rolling out vaccines every day. Now is the time to stay focused on the precautions that limit the spread of this challenging virus.”
Four new deaths to report for a total of 50 in Interior Health
- 1 additional death at Sunnybank in Oliver.
- 2 deaths at Noric House in Vernon.
- 1 additional death at Heritage Retirement Residence in West Kelowna.
“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.”
Interior Health Declares Outbreak Over
The outbreak at McKinney Place long-term care in Oliver has been declared over. There was a total of 78 cases: 55 residents and 23 staff, with 17 deaths connected to this outbreak.
Update on outbreaks:
- Cariboo Memorial Hospital has 10 staff cases.
- Brocklehurst Gemstone long-term care in Kamloops has 18 cases: 14 residents and four staff.
- Sunnybank long-term care in Oliver has 34 cases: 26 residents and eight staff, with two deaths connected to this outbreak.
- Creekside Landing long-term care in Vernon has 32 cases: 18 residents and 14 staff, with one death connected to this outbreak.
- Williams Lake Seniors Village has two cases: one resident and one staff.
- Noric House long-term care in Vernon has 47 cases: 26 residents and 21 staff, with two deaths connected to this outbreak.
- Heritage Square long-term care in Vernon has 63 cases: 47 residents and 16 staff, with seven deaths connected to this outbreak.
- Heritage Retirement Residence in West Kelowna has 46 cases: 41 residents and five staff, with three deaths connected to this outbreak.
- Teck mining operations remains at 16 IH cases linked to the outbreak.
- Village by the Station long-term care in Penticton has 10 cases: five residents and five staff, with one death connected to this outbreak.
- Mountainview Village long-term care in Kelowna has 16 cases: eight residents and eight staff, with two deaths connected to this outbreak.
