B.C. Covid update Monday: 1,759 new cases, 20 deaths

British Columbia had 1,759 new Covid-19 cases over the weekend, or an average of 586 a day.

That’s down over one hundred from the seven-day average of 694.

Twenty (20) people died of Covid-related issues since Friday, including two people in their 40s.

Five of the victims were Interior Health residents, and fifteen were over the age of 70.

The provincial death toll is now 1,622.

From Friday to Saturday, there were 596 new cases, with 605 fro Saturday to Sunday and 558 from Sunday to Monday for a grand total of 136,100.

Of the new cases, 325 were in the Vancouver Coastal Health, 1,201 were in Fraser Health, 50 in Island Health, 131 in Interior Health and 52 in Northern Health.

There are 6,140 active cases, with 415 in hospital and 150 in critical or intensive care.

As for the vaccines, 2,159,103 doses have gone into arms, with 106,058 second doses.

Henry said starting tonight, all those 40 and older will be able to book an appointment for a vaccination, as well as all those 18 and up in high risk areas.

“We are not yet at the point we can ease up on the restrictions we have in place, but we are getting closer every day,” Dr. Bonnie Henry, provincial health officer, said.

The B.C. Centre for Disease Control and B.C. public health will now release data by some neighbourhoods and other more specific communities on Wednesdays.

Health Minister Adrian Dix said 274,950 doses of Pfizer vaccines are expected in B.C. this week after 135,600 doses of Moderna late last week.

“What this means is that a lot of vaccine is coming to B.C., and this is the time to register,” Dix said.

Dix said more than 2.39 million people have registered for a vaccine.

Update on outbreaks:

·        Sandalwood Retirement Resort independent living in Kelowna has 28 cases: 26 residents and two staff, with one death connected to the outbreak.

·        Orchard Haven long-term care in Keremeos has two cases: one resident and one staff.

·        Spring Valley long-term care in Kelowna has 35 cases: 25 residents, 10 staff/other, with three deaths connected to the outbreak.