Dr. Henry calls COVID-19 vaccine impacts ‘remarkable’

Feb 23, 2021 | 3:51 PM Pete McIntyre

There are 43 new COVID-19 cases in Interior Health, part of 559 new cases in B.C.

There is one new death, a resident of an acute care facility in Vancouver Coastal Health.

Dr. Bonnie Henry, provincial health officer, reported no new health care outbreaks, no new cases in long-term care or assisted living homes, and no deaths in long-term care in the last 24 hours.

“This really is a reflection of the vaccines that we have had, and their use and deployment in long-term care and assisted living. It really is remarkable the effects of even a single dose,” Henry said.

Henry noted data showing a single dose of COVID-19 vaccine is 80 per cent effective for preventing the virus for long-term care residents and staff within two to three weeks of receiving the medicine.

In B.C., 224,354 vaccine first doses, and 58,896 second doses, have been administered, mostly to seniors and staff in long-term care.

Henry said more details about the vaccine clinics to be held in 172 communities starting in April will be announced on Monday (Feb. 29).

“In parallel, with more vaccine increasingly available, we are turning our focus to people aged over 80 in our communities, who will receive vaccine information in the next two weeks. It is important to know everyone over 18 years old will have access to a COVID-19 vaccine and no one will be left behind,” Henry said.

The people authorized to give vaccinations has been expanded to include pharmacists, dentists, midwives and other health technicians.

Health Minister Adrian Dix said 92 per cent of long-term care residents have received their first dose, and 39 per cent have received a second dose.

He said 94 per cent of long-term care staff have received a first dose, with 52 per cent getting the second one.

New case counts by health region:

559 new cases in B.C. for total of 77,822
132 Vancouver Coastal Health
278 Fraser Health
39 Island Health
43 Interior Health
66 Northern Health
1 person who normally resides outside Canada

There are 4,677 active cases, with 238 people in hospital and 69 in critical or intensive care.

Currently, 7,881 people are under active monitoring for COVID and 71,753 people who had the virus are considered recovered.

Update on outbreaks:

· Kelowna General Hospital has five cases: four patients and one staff.

· The Florentine in Merritt has two resident cases.

· Highridge/Singh House group home in Kamloops has 13 cases: five residents and eight staff.

· Westsyde Care Residence group home in Kamloops has 30 cases: 17 residents and 13 staff, with one death connected to this outbreak.

· Brocklehurst Gemstone long-term care in Kamloops has 32 cases: 24 residents and eight staff, with two deaths connected to this outbreak.

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

· Noric House long-term care in Vernon has 67 cases: 39 residents and 28 staff, with 10 deaths connected to this outbreak.