B.C. sets new highs for active Covid cases, hospitalizations
The record number of hospitalizations due to Covid-19 continue in B.C.
The province reported 1,005 new cases on Friday, a slight reprieve from the 1,205 yesterday and the 1,168 on Wednesday.
Active cases have hit a record 10,081 with 425 people in hospital with the virus, 127 in intensive care, which are also new highs for the province.
Of the new cases, 110 are in Interior Health, with 259 in Vancouver Coastal Health, 536 in Fraser Health, 49 in Island Health and 51 in Northern Health.
There are currently 5,739 confirmed variant cases, with 212 active and the remaining people have recovered. This includes 3,858 cases of the B.1.1.7 (U.K.) variant, 71 cases of the B.1.351 (South Africa) variant and 1,810 cases of the P.1 (Brazil) variant.
There have been six new Covid-related deaths, for a total of 1,530 in B.C.
In B.C., 1,282,091 doses of Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and AstraZeneca-SII Covid-19 vaccines have been administered, 87,970 of which are second doses.
Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says it’s important for people to spend time outdoors, which is safer than being indoors, but not without risk.
“Even if we are outside, we need to stay small and continue to use our layers of protection. This means keeping a safe distance and wearing masks, especially if someone is higher risk for serious illness,” Henry said in a statement.
Henry encouraged people to stay local and stay in their neighbourhoods
“If you choose to see a close friend for brunch on a patio, then make sure it is the same friend every time. If you decide to have a barbecue in your backyard, then keep to your roommates or family only. Or, if you visit your neighbourhood park with another family, then make it with only one other family and do activities that allow everyone to keep a safe distance from each other,” the province’s top doctor advised.
Learn More:
For the April 15 modelling presentation, visit: http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/modelling-projections
SPEAK Survey – to share your perspectives and feedback, visit: www.bccdc.ca/covid19survey
For provincial health officer’s orders and guidance, visit:
Guidance on restrictions: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/covid-19-provincial-support/restrictions