13 more die of COVID-19 in B.C. as 667 new cases confirmed

British Columbia announced 667 new cases of COVID-19 and 13 more deaths on Friday, the most deaths in one day since Feb. 3.

In a written statement, the provincial government said there are currently 5,128active cases of people infected with the novel coronavirus in B.C.

A total of 367people are in hospital, with152in intensive care.

Overall hospitalizations, which typically lag behind spikes and dips in new cases, areupby 1.9 per cent from last Friday, when 360people were in hospital with the disease and about 27per cent from a month ago when 288people were in hospital.

The number of patients in intensive care isupby about 11 per cent from 137 a week ago and by the same percentage from a month ago when 137people were also in the ICU.

The provincialdeath toll from COVID-19is now 2,055 lives lost out of 196,433 confirmed cases to date.

As of Friday, 89 per cent of those 12 and older in B.C. have received their first dose of aCOVID-19 vaccineand 83 per cent asecond dose.

So far, eight million doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered, including 3.8 million second doses.

Thereare a total of 19 active outbreaks in assisted living, long-term and acute care. There has been one new outbreak at GR Baker Memorial Hospital in Quesnel. The outbreak at Good Samaritan Delta View Care Centre has been declared over.

The acute care hospitals currently affected by COVID outbreaks areMission Memorial Hospital, University Hospital of Northern B.C., GR Baker Memorial Hospital, and Tofino General Hospital.

More than 90 people have been diagnosed with COVID-19 and three people have died as a result of an outbreak at a care home in Burnaby, and officials say the death toll is expected to grow.

The majority of casesat the Willingdon Care Centreare among residents, according tothe B.C. Centre for Disease Control. Health Minister Adrian Dix said Thursday he expectsthe number of deaths will rise to 10 over the next several days due to a delay in data reporting.

New northern restrictions

More restrictions for the northern part of the province came into effect Thursday at midnight and will last until at least Nov. 19 in an attempt to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in the region.

Restrictions in the region now include limitingindoor and outdoor gatherings to fully vaccinated people only, capping the number of people who can gather in any setting, moving worship services online, cutting off alcohol sales earlier at night and mandating masks and safety plans at organized events.

Health officials are strongly recommending people stay in their community unless it is essential for work or medical reasons.

Restrictions are also in place in the Interior Health region and communities in the eastern Fraser Valley.

Provincial Health Officer Bonnie Henry continues to reiterate the importance of immunization to reduce the risk of illness and death due to COVID-19.

From Oct. 7to 13, people who were not fully vaccinated accounted for 68.3 per cent of cases and from Sept. 30 to Oct. 13,they accounted for 76.3 per cent of hospitalizations, according to the province.

Anyone who has not yet received a shot is encouraged to do so immediately. Appointments can be made online through theGet Vaccinated portal, by calling 1-833-838-2323, or in-person at anyService B.C. location.

People can also be immunized at walk-in clinics throughout the province.

B.C. health officials are awaiting a federal review of COVID-19 vaccines for five- to 11-year-olds and areencouraging families to register their children now as they anticipate doses being availablefor this group by early November.