New surge in B.C. COVID-19 cases

B.C. is experiencing a new wave of COVID-19 infections and that has provincial health officials very concerned.

There were 908 new cases reported in the last 24 hours, the majority in the Lower Mainland with 438 cases in Fraser Health and 294 in Vancouver Coastal Health.

Interior Health reported 43 new cases.

“While we are in a different stage of our COVID-19 pandemic than where we have been before – safe and effective vaccines that are increasing the protection for all of us – we are facing a sustained increase in clusters of new cases and outbreaks, including increasing cases caused by variants of concern. This is particularly concerning in the Lower Mainland areas,” Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said.

There have been three more deaths for a total of 1,449.

There are 6,245 active cases, with 9,996 people under public health monitoring as a result of identified exposure to known cases.

Of the active cases, 294 individuals are hospitalized, 81 of whom are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation.

“There have been 140 new confirmed COVID-19 cases that are variants of concern, for a total of 1,912 cases.

To date, 637,856 doses of Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in B.C., 87,233 of which are second doses. Over 100,000 residents of Interior Health have now received their first vaccination.

Vaccine appointment bookings are now open for people 74 or older and Indigenous peoples over 55. Starting on Monday, individuals who are clinically extreme vulnerability and have received a letter identifying them as such can also book their vaccine appointments.

Henry notes while some restrictions have been rolled back, that doesn’t mean it’s free to do as you please.

“We have been able to slowly turn the dial on some restrictions. However, we all need to remember while some activities are safe for us to do, others simply are not,” Henry said. “We can be outside with the same small group of people, but gathering inside is high risk for all of us. We can soon see our Elders and seniors in care, but we must follow the safety protocols that remain in place.

Officials are also cautioning that Facebook and other social media platforms often don’t have accurate information.

“Equally important in staying informed about what has been an ever-changing pandemic. There is myriad misinformation, especially on social media, that fuels our apprehension and anxiety. If you are unsure, err on the side of caution or go to a credible, reliable information source, like the BC Centre for Disease Control for the latest updates,” Henry concluded.