The B.C. Ministry of Health reported 2,211 new cases of COVID-19 across the province for the period of Dec. 31 to Jan. 3, for a total of 54,201 cases since the pandemic began.
New cases were reported in these health regions:
- Vancouver Coastal Health: 389
- Fraser Health: 1,301
- Island Health: 64
- Interior Health: 288
- Northern Health: 169
The number of active cases in B.C. has decreased from 7,803 to 6,823.
There are now a total of 351 people in hospital due to COVID-19, 76 of whom are in critical care — ICU or acute care units.
45 more people have died from COVID-related causes, bringing the provincial death toll to 946.
8,785 people are in isolation, under active public health monitoring, after exposure to COVID-19.
A total of 45,229 people have recovered from novel coronavirus.
Outbreaks
Six new health-care facility outbreaks were declared across the province on Thursday including:
- Braddan Private Hospital in Vancouver
- Creekside Landing in Vernon
- KinVillage in Delta
- Madison Care Centre in Coquitlam
- Royal City Manor in New Westminster
- Williams Lake Seniors Village in Williams Lake
Eight outbreaks have been declared over, including Chiliwack Lifestyles, Finnish Manor, Holyrood Manor, North Crest Care Centre, St. Jude’s Anglican Home, the Gardens at Qualicum Beach, the Residence at Clayton Heights, and Three Links Care Centre.
In addition, the Bighorn Hotel community outbreak has been declared over.
In total, there are 52 assisted-living, long-term care homes, seniors’ rental buildings and eight acute-care facilities with ongoing COVID-19 outbreaks.
Outbreaks and other exposure events can be linked to from the BC Centre for Disease Control website.
More COVID-19 coverage from Victoria Buzz, including local exposures and outbreaks.
Island Health
64 new cases were reported in the Island Health region on Monday.
As of Monday morning, there are 108 active cases remaining on the Island. By Health Service Delivery Area, they are:
- South Island: 53 | Total cases: 347
- Central Island: 30 | Total cases: 415
- North Island: 25 | Total cases: 219
There was one new death reported in the Island Health region. Eight people remain in hospital, including two in intensive care units.
Island Health’s chart below shows the region’s COVID-19 curve over the course of the pandemic.
Vaccinations
24,139 people have been inoculated against COVID-19 across B.C. with vaccinations from Pfizer and Moderna.
This includes 4,721 residents in long-term care, 11,627 long-term care staff, and 6,413 health care workers.
Dr. Bonnie Henry says that approximately 150,000 are to be vaccinated from December to February.
Priority populations for vaccines are residents of long term care, hospitalized individuals, hospital care workers and remote First Nations communities.
Dr. Henry estimates a further 400,000 people will be vaccinated against COVID-19 from February to March.
A mass vaccination strategy is being developed for implementation in roughly the second or third quarter of 2021, with details to be announced in mid-January.
Government agencies have set up a number of websites for British Columbians who need more information on COVID-19. Some links include:
- Details on the latest provincial restrictions
- BCCDC information on how to get tested
- Support for mental health and wellbeing
At the time of this publication, 86,048,775 cases of COVID-19 had been recorded worldwide. 1,859,393 have died, and 60,973,892 have recovered.
