Lower Mainland is Covid central in B.C., as cases jump

B.C.’s Lower Mainland continues to produce the majority of new Covid-19 cases in the province.

On Friday, 589 new cases were reported, a big jump from the 395 on Thursday.

Of the new cases, 474 were from either the Fraser (317) or Vancouver Coastal (157) Health regions, 80 per cent of the total.

Interior Health had 39 new cases, with 31 in Island Health and 45 in Northern Health.

There have been seven new Covid-related deaths, for a total of 1,355.

Active cases are up to 4,665 with 232 people hospitalized, 63 in critical or intensive care.

On the Covid-19 vaccine front, 252,373 doses have been administered in B.C., 73,808 of which are second doses.

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix are welcoming the federal government’s approval of two versions of a new vaccine – the viral vector vaccine produced by Oxford-AstraZeneca and the Verity-Serum Institute of India vaccine.

“Unlike the vaccines that have been available to date, this new, two-dose viral vector vaccine has the benefit of being ‘fridge stable,’ making it much easier to transport and distribute around the province,” the official said in a statement.

Dix and Henry called it very encouraging news for everyone in British Columbia.

“This new vaccine will be integrated into our provincial immunization program as delivery and supply is confirmed in the coming weeks. The additional supply will allow us to look at accelerating immunization of priority populations and essential workers.”

Dix and Henry will lead a news conference on Monday (March 1) outlining the next steps in the province ‘s vaccination program.

To share your feedback in the Personal Impacts of COVID-19 survey, visit: https://www.bcchr.ca/POP/our-research/pics