B.C. health officials have announced 1,667 new cases of COVID-19 over a three day period and 41 new deaths.
Nine of the weekend deaths were in Interior Health which has now seen 17 deaths from COVID-19. Two of the deaths were previously reported by Interior Health on Friday, though it noted then that the deaths would be reflected on the BC CDC dashboard today because of a data reporting cutoff.
“Some passed peacefully in long-term care while others were in hospital, and in each case I share sincere condolences to their loved ones and caregivers. It’s never easy to lose a member of our community, especially now after we have come so far in the fight against COVID-19,” said IHA President and CEO Susan Brown.
“I urge everyone to redouble your efforts and focus on the important public health guidance that can prevent the spread of COVID-19 so that we may protect ourselves and loved ones this holiday season.”
All told, there were 189 new cases reported in Interior Health, with 721 cases now active, and 33 people in hospital, seven in ICU. Seven of the deaths in the Interior are linked to the McKinney Place long term care home outbreak in Oliver which has had 73 cases – 53 residents and 20 staff.
There are four cases – two residents and two staff – at the Village by the Station long-term care home in Penticton while the outbreak at Mountainview Village long-term care home in Kelowna has 14 cases in total – seven residents and seven staff, with one death linked to this outbreak.
Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced there were 652 new cases between Friday and Saturday, 486 new cases between Saturday and Sunday, and 529 new cases between Sunday and today.
Active cases provincewide are at 9,718 with 341 people in hospital and 80 people in critical care or ICU.
Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix have urged British Columbians to hold the line against the virus and to follow provincial health guidelines over the holiday season, as vaccinations continue. Last week, there were 3,644 people immunized against COVID-19 – largely healthcare workers – and Dr. Henry says vaccines have arrived in every health authority.
Henry said that while B.C.’s curve is currently ‘levelling,’ there has still been significant growth in the Interior and in Northern B.C.
“COVID spreads quickly but shows up slowly. With restrictions in place, the number of people that have had close contact has decreased, but it is still a substantial number,” she said.
“We have to remember that people getting sick today were in contact with others days ago, and as much as two weeks ago.”
The current provincial health orders which include restrictions on non-essential travel and a ban on social gatherings are set to expire on Jan. 8.
“[I’ve made] a personal commitment to celebrate safely and stay small. I ask you to do the same. Have a safe holiday celebration, reach out to those in your community, but in a way that’s safe,” added Henry
There are now at least 9,651 people being actively monitored by public health teams after being exposed to COVID-19. Henry noted that does not include the total for Northern Health, which is experiencing an issue with reporting data.
There are 35,455 people considered fully recovered from the virus, or 75 per cent of all known COVID-19 cases.
