What you need to know about COVID-19 in B.C. for April 12 - Action News
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British Columbia

What you need to know about COVID-19 in B.C. for April 12

Health officials announce 3,289 cases of the novel coronavirus and 18 more deaths over the last 3 days, two weeks after sweeping measures were put in place to try and limit infections.

Health officials announce 3,289 cases of the novel coronavirus and 18 more deaths over the last 3 days

A health-care worker administers a COVID-19 vaccine to a recipient at a vaccination clinic run by Vancouver Coastal Health in Richmond, B.C., on Saturday. (Jonathan Hayward/The Canadian Press)

THE LATEST:

  • Health officials announced3,289 cases of COVID-19 and 18 new deathsoverthe last three days.
  • The provincial death toll from the disease is at 1,513.
  • There are currently 9,937active COVID-19 cases in B.C.
  • So far, 1,112,101 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered.
  • There are368 patients are in hospital,including 121 people in critical care.

Health officials announced3,289 cases of COVID-19 and 18 new deathsoverthe last three days.

A three-week "circuit breaker" was implementedon March 29, puttingin placesweeping new restrictions on indoor dining in restaurants, group fitness activities and worship services.

Since that time, the province has announced several record-breaking single-day case countsand has seen a rise in hospitalizations.

As of Monday,Dr. Bonnie Henry, provincial health officer, and Health Minister Adrian Dix announced there were 368 patients in hospital,including 121 people in critical care. The number of patients in critical care with the disease has risen to a record high.

Vaccination registration expanding

The province has announced dates for those aged 40 and older to register for their vaccine:

  • Monday, April 12 born 1966 or earlier (55+)
  • Wednesday, April 14 born 1971 or earlier (50+)
  • Friday, April 16 born 1976 or earlier (45+)
  • Monday, April 19 born 1981 or earlier (40+)

Registering for a vaccine is not the same as booking the appointment to get your shot. Once registered, users receive a confirmation code. They thenwait for an email, text or call telling them they are eligible and can then booktheir vaccine appointment using that code.

A man wears a protective face mask to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 as he walks past a billboard in Vancouver. (Jonathan Hayward/The Canadian Press)

Indigenous people 18 or older and those who are clinically extremely vulnerable can also now register to book their vaccine appointment through B.C.'s new Get Vaccinated system.

The province is also continuing to vaccinatepeople between the ages of 55 and 65 with the AstraZeneca vaccine in local pharmacies throughout the province.

Vaccine registration

There arethree ways to register for vaccinations:

  • Online through the "Get Vaccinated" portal.
  • By phone through the provincial phone line at 1-833-838-2323.
  • In person at any Service B.C. location.

Health Minister Adrian Dix said on Saturday that vaccine doses would also be set aside to vaccinate people in communities where there were outbreaks.

Whistler jabs

On Sunday, Vancouver Coastal Health announced thatall adults who live and work in Whistler, B.C., will be eligible to get a COVID-19 vaccine starting Monday.

The health authority says it's launching the two-week vaccination program because of increasing transmission of the virus in the ski resort community.

It says there were 1,505 confirmed cases of COVID-19 recorded in Whistler between Jan. 1 and April 5, which isthe highest rate of COVID-19 of any local health area in the province.

Cypress Mountain on Vancouver's North Shore announced Sunday was its last day of operations for the ski season, marking an early closure.

The resort said it made the decision based onthe rapid spread of more contagious coronavrius variants in the region, despite good snow conditions that could have allowed for an extended season.

People waiting to get on a lift at Whistler Blackcomb in January 2021. (Submitted)

On March 30, Whistler Blackcomb decided not to reopen for the tail end of the ski season following aprovincial health order that closed the hills until April 19.

On Friday, the province said there are currently 4,111 cases of COVID-19 that are confirmed variants of concern in B.C.

Of the total cases, 105 are active and the remaining people have recovered.

Read more:

What's happening elsewhere in Canada

As of Sunday, Canada had reported 1,060,157cases of COVID-19, with 73,447 cases considered active.

A total of 23,315people have died of the disease.

What are the symptoms ofCOVID-19?

Common symptoms include:

  • Fever.
  • Cough.
  • Tiredness.
  • Shortness of breath.
  • Loss of taste or smell.
  • Headache.

But more serious symptoms can develop, including difficulty breathing and pneumonia.

What should I do if I feel sick?

Use the B.C. Centre for Disease Control's COVID-19 self-assessment tool. Testing is recommended for anyone with symptoms of cold orflu, even if they're mild. People with severe difficulty breathing, severe chest pain, difficulty waking upor other extreme symptoms should call 911.

What can I do toprotect myself?

  • Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly. Keep them clean.
  • Keep at least two metres awayfrom people outside your bubble. Keep your distance from people who are sick.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
  • Wear a mask in indoor public spaces.
  • Be aware ofevolving travel advisoriesto different regions.

More detailed information on the outbreak is available on thefederal government's website.