B.C. is reporting 407 new cases of COVID-19 today as well as 14 deaths from the virus, with 54 of the new cases in Interior Health.
There are no new cases today at the outbreak in the Brocklehurst Gemstone Care Centre which remains at 23 active cases – 16 residents and seven staff – with two deaths among residents in that long-term care home.
Also, the outbreak at surgical unit 6 South at Royal Inland Hospital has now grown to 51 total cases – including 32 staff and 19 patients – with 50 cases currently active.
Province-wide, there are now 4,260 active cases with 313 people in hospital 71 of whom are in intensive care. There are 985 active cases in Interior Health with 49 people in hospital, 13 in ICU. Four more deaths were reported in the Interior today taking the death toll to 66 people, and 1,168 in B.C.
“The number of new daily cases of COVID-19 is much higher than we want it to be. We are asking for everyone’s help to bend our curve back down. This is especially critical with the presence of variant viruses in our province,” Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says.
As of Monday, there were six cases of the U.K variant in the province, and Henry says officials are hopeful that further spread can be avoided. Of more concern is the South African variant with three cases reported in B.C. in people with no known travel history, a sign that it may be circulating wider in communities.
“For the many who have been doing your part, you may be asking, ‘What more can I do?’ Be the voice of support and encouragement for those who may be wavering in their resolve,” Henry adds. “Our goal is clear – fewer cases in B.C. – as low as we can go. Our path to get there is just as clear – fewer faces and fewer places.”
The COVID-19 cluster at Big White Ski Resort in Kelowna has grown by 11 cases to 225 with 21 cases currently active. Of the total, there have been 139 cases in people who live or work on Big White mountain.
There were also another 46 cases linked to a community cluster in the Williams Lake area taking the total to 314 people since Jan. 1. There are 150 cases currently active, with health officials noting the cluster is a result of transmission at recent social events and gatherings.
Meanwhile, an outbreak at Canim Lake is up slightly to 63 cases with one death – an elder who died at the age of 77.
Health officials say there have been 122,359 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine that have gone out in the province, including 4,105 second doses.
And there are 58,352 people who have now recovered after getting COVID-19, about 89 per cent of the total.
