What you need to know about COVID-19 in B.C. for May 10 - Action News
Home WebMail Friday, November 22, 2024, 04:27 PM | Calgary | -10.8°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 May 10

B.C. has recorded 1,769 new cases of COVID-19 over the past three days, and 20 more deaths.

2 million eligible British Columbians have now received a first dose of COVID-19 vaccine

Essential workers line up outside the Vancouver Convention Centre during a COVID-19 vaccination clinic on May 7. (Ben Nelms/CBC)

THE LATEST:

  • B.C. recorded1,769new cases of COVID-19 over the last three days.
  • 20 people have died of the novel coronavirus since Friday.
  • Health officials say 415 people are in hospital, 150 of whom are in intensive care.
  • As of Monday afternoon, there are 6,140active cases in B.C.
  • More than 45 per cent of eligible British Columbians have received at least one vaccine dose.

Health officials in B.C. are encouraging residents to stay the course and follow public health guidelines as COVID-19 hospitalizations remain high, but continue to decrease across the province.

The number of patients in hospital has dropped by 6.7 per cent since Friday. An average of 586 new cases were recorded over each of the past three days, continuing a downward trend.

Provincial Health OfficerDr. Bonnie Henry, who announced a"circuit breaker"-style lockdownon indoor activities onMarch 29, says the measures are working to limit the spread of the disease in the province.

British Columbians are also not permitted to travel outside three regional zones,under an orderin effect until the end of the May 24 long weekend. Information on whether those restrictions will be lifted is expected in coming weeks.

"As the number of people being immunized increase and our immunity catches up after several weeks, we will be able to start thinking about our post pandemic future," Henry said Monday.

Mounties in British Columbia have set up checkpoints at various locations on the province's highways, but say that, so far, no vehicles have been forced to turn around and no fineshave been handed out.

"The idea is not to fine people, the idea is that people not take part in non-essential travel right now," B.C. health minister Adrian Dix said Monday during a press conference.

Hot spots

While the rolling average of new cases in B.C. continues to decline, certain neighbourhoods across B.Care still experiencinghigh rates of transmission, especially in the Fraser Health and Vancouver Coastal Health regions.

Over the weekendFraser Health officials declared a COVID-19 outbreak at a poultry processing plant in Surrey, B.C.

Officials saidin a news release that 29 staff at Sunrise Poultry Processors Ltd. have tested positive for the virus, and the facility has been ordered to close for 10 days beginning Friday.

There have been no reported cases of food or its packaging being associated with the transmission of COVID-19, and there is no recall of chicken products distributed from the plant.

Vaccinations going fast

As of Monday, 2,159,103 doses of COVID-19 vaccine hadbeen administered, with 106,058 of those being second doses.

The province says 2 million peoplewho are eligible have received at least one dose.

Public health officialsencouraged anyone who is eligible to register to receive their vaccine, and said anyone who received a vaccine early on in the immunization program, before the online registration was up and running, should now register onlineto ensure their information is recorded and that they will be contacted for a second dose.

Currently, anyone18 and older in British Columbia canregister for their vaccinationnow if they have not already done so. This can be doneonlinethrough the "Get Vaccinated" portal, by calling1-833-838-2323, or in person at anyService B.C. location.

Starting Monday night,British Columbians born in 1981 or earlier will be able to book avaccination appointment.

Health authorities have said at least 60 to 70 per cent of the total population should be immunized to achieve herd immunity.

Read more:

What's happening elsewhere in Canada

As of Sunday, Canada hasreported 1,286,666 cases of COVID-19, with a five per cent decreasein active cases from the week before.

A total of24,625 people 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.

With files from Courtney Dickson