B.C. records 457 new cases of COVID-19 and 2 more deaths

B.C. health officials announced 457new cases of COVID-19 and 2more deaths on Tuesday.

In a written statement,the province said there are currently 4,829active cases of people infected with the novel coronavirus in B.C.

A total of 390people are in hospital, with 155in intensive care.

Overall hospitalizations, which typically lag behind spikes and dips in new cases, are upby 2.1per cent from last Tuesday, when 382 people were in hospital with the disease,and about 28.7per cent from a month ago when 303people were in hospital.

The number of patients in intensive care is up by about 6.2 per cent from 146a week ago, and up by 9.9per cent from a month ago when 141 people were in the ICU.

The provincialdeath toll from the disease is now 2,131 lives lost out of 202,973 confirmed cases to date.

There are a total of 28active outbreaks in assisted living and long-term care.

Outbreaks in acute care includeChilliwack General Hospital, Mission Memorial Hospital,the University Hospital of Northern B.C., GR Baker Memorial Hospital in Quesnel andBulkley Valley District Hospital in Northern Health.

As of Tuesday, 89.6 per cent of those 12 and older in B.C. have received their first dose of aCOVID-19 vaccineand 84.5 per cent asecond dose.

From Oct. 18to 24, people who were not fully vaccinated accounted for 64.1 per centof cases and from Oct. 11to 24, they accounted for 76.2 per centof hospitalizations, according to the province.

So far, 8.1 milliondoses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered.

Health-care workers must be vaccinated

The day after capacity limits lifted, British Columbia now requires all health-care workers in the province to be fully immunized against COVID-19.

The deadline for employees in long-term care and assisted living facilities to be vaccinated was Oct. 12.

Employees who have not received any vaccine as of Tuesday were to be put on unpaid leave.If they don't get a firstdose of vaccine before Nov. 15, they could lose their jobs, according to the province.

Holiday events return

Holiday festivities are set to return to Metro Vancouver this year after being cancelled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

As of Monday, Lower Mainland venueswhere proof of vaccination is required are allowed to return to full capacity. Outdoor festivals and walk-through fairs can also be held at 100 per cent capacity.

The Brights Nights Christmas Train in Stanley Park, theFestival of Lights in VanDusenBotanical Gardens,Circle Craft Christmas Market, Glow Langley and more are set to return, with safety protocols in place such as smaller events, drive-thru set ups and proof of vaccination requirements.