There are now 42,943 cases of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in B.C. after health officials announced 2,146 new cases Monday.
There were 698 cases from Friday to Saturday, 689 from Saturday to Sunday, and 759 from Sunday until Monday.
Sixteen of the new cases are epi-linked.
Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry reports that there have been 300 new cases of COVID-19 in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, 1,474 in the Fraser Health region, 29 in the Island Health region, 250 in the Interior Health region, 91 in the Northern Health region and two cases from people who reside outside of Canada.
There have been three new health-care facility outbreaks. There are currently 55 outbreaks in long-term care facilities and seven in acute care units.
There have been no new community outbreaks.
There have been 49 new COVID-19 related deaths, for a total of 647 deaths in British Columbia.
Of the total COVID-19 cases, 359 individuals are hospitalized, 87 of whom are in intensive care. The remaining people with COVID-19 are recovering at home in self-isolation. There are 11,177 people under active public health monitoring for the virus.
There are 10,039 active cases of COVID-19 in B.C. and 31,207 people have recovered from the virus.
Public alerts and notifications are posted on the BC Centre for Disease Control’s (BCCDC) website and on all health authorities’ websites.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) in B.C. over the holidays
“The COVID-19 pandemic has meant a year like no other for all of us, doing things in ways we have never done before. This is the same for our holiday celebrations," said Henry.
“We have to remember that every time we come together there is risk. No event or gathering is completely safe right now, because the virus continues to circulate in our communities.
“You may be doing all you can to protect your loved ones and yourself, and this is what we all need to be doing right now. Unfortunately, despite everything we are doing, there is still the potential that someone you spend time with may inadvertently bring the virus to the dinner table.
“Our homes don’t have the many layers of protection that we find in other places. In our homes we spend more time close together, we aren’t using masks and we don’t have the barriers and safe distances that we see elsewhere.
“When more people get a COVID-19 vaccine and the number of cases declines, we’ll be able to safely resume the activities that are paused right now.
“Following on the orders issued in early December, the new guidelines for low-intensity indoor group physical activity are now available. We ask that all businesses carefully review the guidelines to ensure all requirements are met before resuming operations.
“This holiday season, let’s make the special occasions special in other ways by connecting virtually instead. Let’s save our celebrations with loved ones until it is safe for us to get together once again.”
