There are now 39,337 cases of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in B.C. after health officials announced 619 new cases Wednesday.
Four of the new cases were epi-linked.
Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry reports that there have been 121 new cases of COVID-19 in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, 384 in the Fraser Health region, five in the Island Health region, 81 in the Interior Health region, 27 in the Northern Health region and one new case in someone who resides outside of Canada.
There has been one new health-care facility outbreak and two have been declared over. There are currently 57 active outbreaks in long-term care and eight in acute care.
There have been no new community outbreaks.
There have been 16 new COVID-19 related deaths, for a total of 559 deaths in British Columbia.
Of the total COVID-19 cases, 338 individuals are hospitalized, 75 of whom are in intensive care. The remaining people with COVID-19 are recovering at home in self-isolation. There are 11,526 people under active public health monitoring for the virus.
There are 9,329 active cases of COVID-19 in B.C. and 28,438 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.
'We have a glimmer of hope': Health officials provide update on COVID-19 vaccine in B.C.
"We have a glimmer of hope."
B.C. Premier John Horgan addressed the province in the daily COVID-19 briefing Wednesday afternoon, remarking that the newly announced vaccine may mark the beginning of the end of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in B.C.
"Although the end is not in front of us, the beginning of the end may well be the announcement that vaccines will be coming to British Columbia as early as next week," said Horgan.
Read more here.
Dr. Bonnie Henry extends B.C.-wide COVID-19 restrictions until Jan. 8
"We are not yet through this storm. And we cannot let up now."
Health officials announced that the province-wide COVID-19 restrictions will be extended until Jan. 8, 2021. However, one exception is for drive-in and drop-off events, where people do not get out of their cars. In these cases, a maximum of 50 cars is permitted.
The restrictions on group fitness, adult team sports, and all events and social gatherings are suspended to significantly reduce COVID-19 transmission related to social interactions and travel.
Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry made the announcement Monday during the daily COVID-19 press briefing.
Read more here.
