Dix and Henry hint at fewer restrictions due to Covid ‘progress’

Feb 9, 2021 | 4:35 PM Pete McIntyre

Health officials are sounding optimistic with the recent COVID-19 numbers in B.C.

“We are making progress in our efforts to push back on the COVID-19 virus and get to the days of fewer restrictions in our province,” said a statement issued by Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix Tuesday.

The province reported 435 new cases Tuesday, along with four more deaths (1,263 total).

New cases by health region

107 Vancouver Coastal
221 Fraser
23 Island
47 Interior
37 Northern

There are 4,393 active cases of COVID-19 in the province with 241 people in hospital, 68 in critical or intensive care.

Currently, 6,879 people are under active public health monitoring as a result of identified exposure to known cases and a further 65,618 people who tested positive are considered recovered.

There are no no new health-care facility outbreaks and one new community outbreak at the Highridge/Singh group home in Kamloops.

To date, 155,585 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in B.C., 12,802 of which are second doses. Immunization data is available on the COVID-19 dashboard: www.bccdc.ca

Henry and Dix said residents can keep the positive momentum going through small efforts every day.

“By saving our socializing and travel for another time, we are protecting the people we know and care for most, as well as those we may not know – an elderly neighbour across the street, the clerk at our local grocery store, our first responders and front-line health-care workers who are also doing their part.”

Update on Interior Health outbreaks:

· Outbreak declared at Highridge/Singh House group home in Kamloops. **see attached IB.

· Westsyde Care Residence group home in Kamloops has 26 cases: 14 residents and 12 staff. There are 22 active cases.

· Royal Inland Hospital has 104 cases: 36 patients and 68 staff, with one death connected to this outbreak. There are 42 active cases.

· Cariboo Memorial Hospital has 14 cases: 12 staff and two patients. There are no active cases.

· Brocklehurst Gemstone long-term care in Kamloops has 25 cases: 17 residents and eight staff, with two deaths connected to this outbreak. There are two active cases.

· Sunnybank long-term care in Oliver has 38 cases: 27 residents, 11 staff/other, with six deaths connected to this outbreak. There are eight active cases.

· Creekside Landing long-term care in Vernon has 40 cases: 25 residents and 15 staff, with one death connected to this outbreak. There are three active cases.

· Noric House long-term care in Vernon has 68 cases: 39 residents and 29 staff, with nine deaths connected to this outbreak. There are 11 active cases.

· Heritage Square long-term care in Vernon has 68 cases: 47 residents and 21 staff, with nine deaths connected to this outbreak. There are six active cases.

Other updates

· There are 10 additional cases linked to the cluster in the Williams Lake area.

· There are no new cases linked to the cluster in the Fernie region.