Joint statement on B.C.’s COVID-19 response, latest updates

Press Release

VANCOUVER – 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 572 new cases, for a total of 132,925 cases in British Columbia.

“There are 6,877 active cases of COVID-19 in the province and a further 124,252 people who tested positive have recovered. Due to incomplete data, the number of people under public health monitoring and self-isolation requirements has not been included in today’s report.

“Of the active cases, 481 individuals are currently hospitalized with COVID-19, 161 of whom are in intensive care. The remaining people with COVID-19 are recovering at home in self-isolation.

“Since we last reported, we have had 118 new cases of COVID-19 in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, 362 new cases in the Fraser Health region, 22 in the Island Health region, 57 in the Interior Health region, 13 in the Northern Health region and no new cases of people who reside outside of Canada.

“There have been no new COVID-19 related deaths, for a total of 1,594 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. Of note, the number of people who have died has been adjusted from yesterday’s report due to a data correction.

“The outbreaks at Craigdarroch Care Home and Acropolis Manor are now over.

“1,943,230 doses of Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in B.C., 93,656 of which are second doses.

“We have three highly effective and safe vaccines available in our province, and the more people who receive their vaccine, the faster we will get to the point where COVID-19 is no longer disrupting our daily lives.

“As more people become eligible and more vaccines are approved, we will continue to update our provincewide program, including integrating people 12 to 17 years old, now that the Pfizer BioNtech vaccine has been approved for use in this age group.

“With additional supply now available, we’re accelerating our delivery and we also need you to do your part. We all need to register to reserve our spot and book our vaccine as soon as we are eligible.

“Spread the word and share your vaccine-day photos to show your friends and family that you have helped to protect them – your sons and daughters, parents and grandparents.

“Getting vaccinated when it is our turn, using our layers of protection, staying small and local, and following all of the public health measures is what will see us through this storm.”

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 orders and guidance, visit:

Orders: 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

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.

Contact:

Ministry of Health
Communications
250 952-1887 (media line)

Province of British Columbia

——

BACKGROUNDER 1

Immunization eligibility

Age-based program

Anyone 18 years or older may register through the Get Vaccinated online system.

Appointments are now being made for people 52 and older, pregnant people 16 and older, Indigenous people 18 and older, as well as people who have received a letter indicating they are clinically vulnerable.

First responder and worker program

Health authorities are contacting workplaces to arrange for workers to be vaccinated. This program is continuing to be phased in, focusing on communities that are highest risk.

AstraZeneca pharmacy program

In addition to the age-based and worker programs, vaccinations are expanding for people aged 30 and up who are now also eligible to receive their AstraZeneca vaccine at participating pharmacies, with supply. This is being done after a careful review of the evidence that initially led to a pause in the expanded AstraZeneca vaccine program for younger workers.

Participating pharmacies are listed on the BC Pharmacy Association website: https://www.bcpharmacy.ca/resource-centre/covid-19/vaccination-locations

High-transmission communities

In addition, specific AstraZeneca vaccine clinics will be established in the 18 communities with the highest identified in-community transmission. People 40 and older who reside in those communities will be able to get vaccinated there. For a complete list of the 18 communities, as well as information to assist in determining if you reside in one of these communities, go to: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/covid-19/vaccine/neighbourhood

Anyone 40 and older in the following community health service areas can also be vaccinated at several specific clinics that are being set up. The service areas include:

  • Britannia Beach
  • D’arcy
  • Dawson Creek
  • East Newton
  • Fleetwood
  • Kensington
  • North Delta
  • North Surrey
  • Panorama
  • Pinecrest Estates
  • Port Coquitlam
  • Renfrew-Collingwood
  • South Langley Township
  • Squamish
  • Sunset
  • Whalley
  • West Abbotsford
  • West Newton

People living in these communities must register for their vaccine appointments using the Province’s Get Vaccinated registration and booking tool and will be invited to book an appointment on the same day they register. The fastest way to register and book is online: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/covid-19/vaccine/register

People can confirm whether they live in a high-transmission neighbourhood prioritized for immunization by entering their postal code: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/covid-19/vaccine/neighbourhood

Only those with eligible postal codes will be able to receive a vaccine through the high-transmission neighbourhood program.

Contact:

Ministry of Health
Communications
250 952-1887 (media line)


BACKGROUNDER 2

Independent and assisted-living, long-term care homes, seniors’ rental buildings with COVID-19 outbreaks

Independent and assisted-living, long-term care homes, seniors’ rental buildings:

Vancouver Coastal Health – no facilities

Fraser Health – one facility

  • Dufferin Care Centre (second occurrence)

Northern Health – no facilities

Interior Health – three facilities

  • Orchard Haven
  • Sandalwood Retirement Resort
  • Spring Valley Care Centre

Island Health – no facilities

Acute-care facilities:

  • Dawson Creek and District Hospital
  • Lions Gate Hospital
  • Surrey Memorial Hospital

Contact:

Ministry of Health
Communications
250 952-1887 (media line)

Connect with the Province of B.C. at: news.gov.bc.ca/connect

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