B.C. reports 518 new COVID-19 cases, 19 new deaths

Dec 23, 2020 | 4:25 PM Pete McIntyre

British Columbia health officials say restriction measures are starting to reduce COVID-19 transmission rates, with 518 new cases reported today in B.C (Dec. 23).

That includes 49 cases in Interior Health (IH).

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says there are now 9,137 active cases, a decrease of 344 from Tuesday (Dec. 22). 348 of these people are currently in hospital, with 80 individuals in intensive care.

Nineteen deaths were reported for a total of 796 deaths since the pandemic arrived in B.C.

One of the new deaths is in Interior Health at the McKinney Place long term care facility in Oliver, the 18th death in IH.

According to Dr. Henry, 9,689 people are under active health monitoring, although that does not include those within the Northern Health region. Data for that health authority will be updated in the next briefing.

The new cases bring the total case count in B.C. to 48,027, spread through the province as follows:

11,428 — Vancouver Coastal (up 97)
30,559 — Fraser Health (up by 332)
847 — Island Health (up by 9)
3,340 — Interior Health (up by 49)
1,655 — Northern Health (up by 31)
107 — Reside outside of Canada (unchanged)

Dr. Henry also provided an update on the latest epidemiological modelling, which shows modest progress in reducing transmission rates. Henry noted this will only continue if current efforts to limit virus spread, are maintained by members of the public.

With news of Moderna’s vaccine approval from Health Canada today, Dr. Henry says 5,603 British Columbians across all health regions have received their first dose of the Pfizer vaccine.

Dr. Henry also implemented a new order for industrial work camps. When work resumes in January, employees will have to return to the job site in stages to limit potential transmission of the virus between workers who travelled.

Interior Health update

· IH is reporting 49 new cases since Monday, for a total of 3,440.

· 679 cases are active and on isolation.

· Thirty-two people are in hospital; seven of them in ICU.

· Total number of deaths in IH has risen to 18.

“Despite hope on the horizon in the fight against COVID-19, the terrible impacts of this pandemic continue to affect people throughout the Interior. Sadly today we report another COVID-19 related death at McKinney Place long-term care in Oliver; the eighteenth Interior Health death since the start of this challenging pandemic. Our condolences go out to the loved ones and caregivers of the latest person to succumb to COVID-19 in the Interior. Each death reminds us of the important commitment we must all make to follow the public health guidance that will keep us safe as the COVID-19 vaccine becomes more available throughout the region,” said Susan Brown, president and CEO, Interior Health.

Update on outbreaks:

· Teck mining operations has 16 IH cases linked to the outbreak.

· McKinney Place long term care in Oliver has 75 cases: 54 residents and 21 staff. There is an additional death

· Village by the Station long-term care in Penticton has eight cases: four residents and four staff.

· Mountainview Village long-term care in Kelowna remains at 14 cases in total: seven residents and seven staff.

· Heritage Retirement Residence in West Kelowna has 11 cases: six residents and five staff