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British Columbia

What you need to know about COVID-19 in B.C. for Jan. 11

The provincial death toll from the virus reached 1,010, as 22 more deaths were recorded.

B.C.s death toll from COVID-19 surpassed 1,000 over the weekend

Students wearing masks walk in the rain outside Earl Marriott Secondary School.
Students are pictured during a break at Earl Marriott Secondary School in Surrey, British Columbia on Monday, January 4, 2021. (Ben Nelms/CBC)

THE LATEST:

  • B.C. health officials have confirmed 1,475 new cases of COVID-19 in the province over the last three days
  • The provincial death toll from the virus reached 1,010, as 22 more deaths were recorded.
  • There are 358 people in B.C. hospitals, including 72 in intensive care.
  • There are5,220active cases in the province.
  • As of Monday, 59,902 people had received a COVID-19 vaccine dose in B.C.
  • On Monday, Interior Health declared an outbreakin the community ofCanimLake.
  • An outbreak at St. Paul's Hospital has spread to three units in its heart centre.

B.C. health officials have confirmed 1,475 new cases of COVID-19 in the province over the last three days, as the provincial death toll from the virus reached 1,010.

Twenty-two more people have died of the virus, the lowest three-day total since November.

There are currently 5,220 active cases of the virus in the province. Hospitalizations remain unchangedfrom Friday with358 people in hospital, 72 of whom are in critical care.

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said Monday, data from the vaccine trials shows the first dose of Moderna's and Pfizer's vaccine is 92 per cent effective and that delaying the second dose by up to a week does not diminish its potency.

She said the danger lies in delivering the second dose too soon, rather than too late, as the body needs time to build a properimmune response.

B.C.'s health restrictions have been extendeduntil at least Feb. 5 at midnight.

The current orders includea ban on gatherings with people outside of one's immediate household.The province's non-essential travel advisoryremains in place, including travel into and out of B.C., andbetween regions.

Canim Lake outbreak

On Monday, Interior Health declared an outbreak in the community of Canim Lake, B.C.

Located approximately 40 kilometres from 100 Mile House, the health authority said in a statement 32 cases of COVID-19 have been identified in residents in the regionthat haveconnections to the community.

Outbreak response activities are being co-ordinated together with Canim Lake First Nation, Interior Health, the First Nations Health Authority and Emergency Management B.C. Agencies are working together to bring additional resources to support the community, the health authority said.

St. Paul's Hospital outbreak

A COVID-19 outbreak at St. Paul's Hospital in Vancouver has spread to three units.

Last week,officials declared an outbreak in Unit 5Aof the heart centre. Now, outbreaks havealso been reported in unit 5Band thecardiac surgery intensive care unit (CSICU), according to an internal memo from Providence Health Care obtained by CBC News.

Theunits are all part of theheart centre,where the hospital provides treatmentincluding surgery, transplants and rehabilitation, according to the St. Paul's website.

Care home outbreaks

A health-care worker is pictured with a senior at Tabor Home assisted living centre in Abbotsford in November. (Ben Nelms/CBC)

On Sunday, Fraser Health declareda COVID-19 outbreak at South Delta'sKinVillage, a seniors' supportive housing campus that offers long-term care, assisted living and independent living.

Three staff members at KinVillage tested positive for the virus.

The outbreak is confined to the long-term care buildingand is not connected to the outbreak that was declared on Jan.3 in the assisted living building.

On Saturday, Fraser Health declared outbreaks at Suncreek Village and Guildford Seniors Village in Surrey. One resident and one staff member at Suncreek Village, and two staff members at Guildford Seniors Village have tested positive for COVID-19.

Also on Saturday, Island Health declared an outbreak at Hart House long-term care home in Victoria. One staff member who worked in the home has tested positive for COVID-19. Contact tracing is underway to identify any possible exposures. In the meantime, all 17 residents are isolating in their suites as staff implement measures to protect them.

More care home data expected

Data provided later in the week is expected toincludeindividual case and death counts at long-term care homes.

The province said last week thatseveral changes and improvements to the way it collectspandemic data would allow it to resumesharing this information after it stopped doing so three months ago.

Health Minister Adrian Dix said case counts in individual facilities will be shared every Thursday.

Residents in B.C.'s care facilities have accounted for nearly two-thirds of COVID-19 deaths in the province since the start of the pandemic.

READ MORE:

What's happening elsewhere in Canada

As of 6 p.m. PT on Sunday,Canada had recorded more than 660, 289 cases of COVID-19 and 16,950 deaths.

The number of active cases stood at 84,567.

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 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.