What you need to know about COVID-19 in B.C. for March 2 - Action News
Home WebMail Friday, November 22, 2024, 06:19 AM | Calgary | -13.3°C | Regions Advertise Login | Our platform is in maintenance mode. Some URLs may not be available. |
British Columbia

What you need to know about COVID-19 in B.C. for March 2

B.C. health officials announced 438 new cases of COVID-19 and two more deaths on Tuesday, as they provided a defence of plans to delay second doses of the vaccines.

Every eligible adult in British Columbia to receive a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine by late July

B.C.'s plan to speed up its COVID-19 vaccination effort relies on the approval of a new vaccine and a decision to delay second doses. (Evan Mitsui/CBC)

THE LATEST:

  • Health officials announced 438 new cases and two more deaths on Tuesday.
  • A total of 1,365 people in B.C. have lost their lives to COVID-19 since the pandemic began.
  • Another 22 new cases of variants of concern have been identified.
  • There are now 243 people in hospital due to COVID-19 with 63in intensive care.
  • There are currently 4,679active cases of coronavirus in the province.
  • So far, 283,182 doses of a COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in B.C. aroundfiveper cent of the population with 86,537of those being second doses.
  • B.C. has accelerated its vaccination plan to have every eligible adult receive a first dose by July.

B.C. health officials announced 438 new cases of COVID-19 and two more deaths on Tuesday, as they provided a defence of plans to delay second doses of the vaccines.

There are now 4,679 active cases of COVID-19 in B.C. Of those, 243 people are in hospital, including 63 in intensive care. The total number of patients in hospital is now at its highest level since Feb. 6.

During Tuesday's daily briefing, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said she is "so confident" of B.C.'s plan to leave a four-month gap between doses of COVID-19 vaccines, in spite of criticism from Canada's chief science adviser. Henry said B.C.'s plan is "the best one based on the science and data."

So far, B.C. has administered 283,182 doses of COVID-19 vaccine, including 86,537 second doses. That means about five per cent of British Columbians have now received a shot.

B.C.has seena total of 81,367 cases of the disease to date, including1,365 people who have died.

The province has also confirmed22 new cases of variants of concernin the last day, bringing the total to 182. Of those,159 are the variant first identified in the U.K. and 23 are the variant first reported in South Africa.

Accelerated vaccine plan

Every eligible adult in British Columbia should be able to receive a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine by late July after the approval of a new vaccine and a decision to delay second doses.

Health officials announced the accelerated timeline Monday as the province moved into the second,seniors-focused phase.

Seniors 80 and older, Indigenous seniors 65 and older, hospital staff and medical specialists, vulnerable populations living and working in congregated settings, and staff providing in-home support to seniors will begin getting their shots this month.

The province's vaccination plan is focused on inoculating high-risk people and most elderly populations by April, followed by younger age groups in the spring and summer.

Church petition

Three Fraser Valley churches were in court Monday seeking to overturn provincial health orders barring in-person religious gatherings. The hearing is expected to continue Tuesday.

The orders were put in place by Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry last year as a way to curtail the spread of COVID-19 and were last extended on Feb. 10.

A lawyer for a group of British Columbia churches challenging COVID-19 rules that prohibit in-person religious services says the provincial health officer's orders allow secular gatherings such as in-class education and food distribution for people in need, while discriminating against churches and their congregants' right to freedom of religion.

READ MORE:

What's happening elsewhere in Canada

As of 4p.m. PT Monday Canada had reported 870,033 cases of COVID-19, with 30,430 cases considered active.

A total of 22,017 people have died.

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.