New COVID-19 cases in British Columbia surpass 400

The number of new COVID-19 infections in British Columbia continues to rise, with 402 cases identified in the past day, bringing the total number actively battling the disease to 2,066.

This is the first time the daily total of new infections in the province has exceeded 400 since May 21, and the first time the number of active infections has exceeded 2,000 since June 8.

The vast majority of new cases of COVID-19 in the province are believed to be the Delta variant, which has been shown to be transmitted much more easily than previous strains of the virus. This is probably one of the reasons for the recent spike in cases.

The vast majority of those actively fighting COVID-19 have been ordered to self-isolate, although 58 are in hospitals, including 21 in intensive care units (ICUs). Health officials were not aware of any new deaths linked to COVID-19.

More than 97.4%, or 147,510, of the 151,375 people known to have contracted COVID-19 in British Columbia are considered by the province to have recovered because they disappeared 10 days after feeling the first symptoms, and therefore are considered non-infectious.

Earlier today, Provincial Health Officer Bonnie Henry and Minister of Health Adrian Dix urged residents of British Columbia to get vaccinated as soon as possible, and praised the success of what they were doing. called the “walk-in Wednesday” yesterday when all the vaccination centers in the province accepted the walk-in. in traffic, some having extended hours.

The success of the event may prompt to ask for it to become standard practice every day.

Yesterday, 7,628 people received the first doses of the vaccine. This compares to an average of 4,314 people who received the first doses of vaccine in the previous seven days. Another 25,618 British Columbians received the second doses of vaccine they needed yesterday.

The British Columbia government said the total number of first doses given yesterday was the highest since July 10, a day for which no data was provided. The last day for which data was provided for which the number of first doses was higher was July 7, when 12,587 people received their first vaccine.

The number of people who have received a second dose is declining, in part because the population of vaccinated people needing a second dose is declining sharply.

In total, provincial data shows 3,785,216 British Columbians received at least one dose of the vaccine, with 3,172,287 people fully immunized, with two doses of the vaccine.

The government estimates that this translates to 81.7% of the eligible population vaccinated at least once and 68.4% of the eligible population vaccinated twice.

The most recent estimate from the Government of British Columbia the total population of the province is 5,147,712This means that just over 73.5% of the total population of British Columbia received at least one dose of the vaccine and that 61.6% of the total population of the province received two doses.

Neither Henry nor Dix have yet given a clear answer on whether British Columbia will require all visitors to nightclubs, restaurants or entertainment venues to be vaccinated.

“We will not deny people essential services based on their immunization status,” Henry said, leaving the door open to the possible establishment of a controversial system of vaccination passes for entry into clinics. social places.

The premiers of Manitoba and Quebec have said their provinces will issue vaccination cards. Details are being worked out as to exactly which non-essential services will be open only to cardholders. Laws requiring vaccination passes to enter restaurants, museums and sports arenas have sparked major protests in European countries, such as France and Italy.

Dix sounded as if his staff were investigating the viability of such passes.

“We are pursuing all options to combat the transmission of COVID-19,” Dix said.

“I would say to everyone, ‘No, you don’t have to get the vaccine in BC or anywhere in Canada, but there are consequences if you don’t,’ and I think everyone world will have to figure it out. “

The British Columbia government took action last week to require people to wear masks in indoor public spaces in the central Okanagan.

Much of this is because the interior health region of British Columbia is the hotspot for new and active cases.

Here is a breakdown of the 402 new COVID-19 infections in British Columbia, by health region:
• 82 to Fraser Health (20.4%);
• 41 in Vancouver Coastal Health (10.2%);
• 234 in Internal Health (58.2%);
• 20 in Northern Health (5%);
• 25 in Island Health (6.2%); and
• person who normally resides outside of British Columbia

The 2,066 active infections, broken down by health region, include:
• 449 to Fraser Health (21.7%);
• 290 in Vancouver Coastal Health (14%);
• 1,121 in Internal Health (54.3%);
• 67 in Northern Health (3.2%);
• 127 at Island Health (6.1%); and
• 12 people who normally reside outside British Columbia (0.6%).

Five retirement homes remain with active COVID-19 outbreaks:
• Kootenay Street Village in Cranbrook;
• Cottonwoods Health Center in Kelowna;
• Brookhaven Health Center in West Kelowna;
• Holyrood Manor in Maple Ridge; and
• Nelson Jubilee Manor in Nelson.

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@GlenKorstrom