VICTORIA – Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.’s provincial health officer, and Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, have issued the following joint statement regarding updates on the COVID-19 response in British Columbia:

“Today, we are reporting 853 new cases, for a total of 128,742 cases in British Columbia.

“There are 7,996 active cases of COVID-19 in the province, with 11,628 people under public health monitoring as a result of identified exposure to known cases. A further 118,937 people who tested positive have recovered.

“Of the active cases, 503 individuals are currently hospitalized with COVID-19, 178 of whom are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation.

“Since we last reported, we have had 181 new cases of COVID-19 in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, 574 new cases in the Fraser Health region, 30 in the Island Health region, 43 in the Interior Health region, 25 in the Northern Health region and no new cases of people who reside outside of Canada.

“There has been one new COVID-19 related death, for a total of 1,577 deaths in British Columbia. Our condolences are with the family, friends and caregivers of the people who have died as a result of COVID-19.

“1,749,375 doses of Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in B.C., 90,296 of which are second doses.

“The focus of the COVID-19 vaccine program is to protect as many people as possible, as quickly as possible, and to address hot spots and reduce transmission everywhere.

“In addition to our age-based program, worker program and pharmacy program, we are using vaccines in hot-spot communities and workplaces. This targeted outreach increases all of our protection by breaking the chains of transmission in these locations. 

“No matter what program you are eligible for, everyone in B.C. who is 18 years and older should register either on the Get Vaccinated website or by calling 1 833 838-2323. We are expecting much more vaccine to arrive in the coming weeks. By registering, you will be able to receive the first available appointment.

“With or without a vaccine, we all need to continue to hold steady with our individual efforts – sticking with our layers of protection, staying small and local, and following all of the orders in place.

“Your efforts, kindness and resilience are what will make the difference for all of us to get through this pandemic together.”

Learn More:

Register for your vaccine now: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/covid-19/vaccine/register
Or call 1 833 838-2323.

For more information about current COVID-19 travel restrictions, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/covid-19/travel/current

Provincial health officer's orders and guidance:

Orders: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/about-bc-s-health-care-system/office-of-the-provincial-health-officer/current-health-topics/covid-19-novel-coronavirus

Guidance on restrictions: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/covid-19-provincial-support/restrictions

The latest vaccine information:

For vaccine information, visit the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) dashboard: http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/data Or: www.bccdc.ca

The latest updates, guidance and information on COVID-19, and where to get tested:

The latest medical updates, including case counts, prevention, risks and to find a testing centre near you: http://www.bccdc.ca/
Or follow @CDCofBC on Twitter.

For data regarding ongoing outbreaks in long-term care, assisted-living and independent-living facilities in B.C., visit: http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/data#outbreak

Mental health support:

Mental health and anxiety support: www.bouncebackbc.ca 
Or: www.anxietycanada.com
Or: http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/about-covid-19/mental-well-being-during-covid-19
Or: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/managing-your-health/mental-health-substance-use/virtual-supports-covid-19

Non-health related information:

Financial, child care and education support, travel, transportation and essential service information: www.gov.bc.ca/covid19
Or call 1 888 COVID19 (1 888 268-4319) between 7:30 a.m. and 8 p.m. (Pacific time), seven days a week.

COVID-19 exposure events, updates and information by health authority:

BCCDC (flights, work sites, etc.): http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/public-exposures
Fraser Health: fraserhealth.ca/covid19exposure
Interior Health: https://news.interiorhealth.ca/news/public-exposures/
Island Health: https://www.islandhealth.ca/learn-about-health/covid-19/outbreaks-and-exposures
Northern Health: https://www.northernhealth.ca/health-topics/outbreaks-and-exposures
Vancouver Coastal Health: http://www.vch.ca/covid-19/public-exposures

For the latest videos and livestreaming of COVID-19 media availabilities, visit:
Facebook: https://facebook.com/BCProvincialGovernment/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BCGovNews
YouTube: https://youtube.com/ProvinceofBC

Two backgrounders follow.

Age-based program

Anyone 18 years or older may now register through the Get Vaccinated online system.

Appointments are now being made for people 58 and older, Indigenous people 18 and older, as well as people who have received a letter indicating they are clinically vulnerable.

First responder and worker program

Health authorities are contacting workplaces to arrange for workers to be vaccinated. This program is continuing to be phased in, focusing on communities that are highest risk.

AstraZeneca pharmacy program

In addition to the age-based and worker programs, vaccinations are expanding for people aged 30 and up who are now also eligible to receive their AstraZeneca vaccine at participating pharmacies, with supply. This is being done after a careful review of the evidence that initially led to a pause in the expanded AstraZeneca vaccine program for younger workers.

Participating pharmacies are listed on the BC Pharmacy Association website: https://www.bcpharmacy.ca/resource-centre/covid-19/vaccination-locations

High-transmission communities

In addition, specific AstraZeneca vaccine clinics will be established in the 16 communities with the highest identified in-community transmission. People 30 and older who reside in those communities will be able to get vaccinated there. For a complete list of the 16 communities, as well as information to assist in determining if you reside in one of these communities, go to: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/covid-19/vaccine/neighbourhood

Anyone 30 and older in the following community health service areas can also be vaccinated at several specific clinics that are being set up. The service areas include:

• Brittania Beach
• D'arcy
• Dawson Creek
• East Newton
• Fleetwood
• Kensington
• North Delta
• North Surrey
• Panorama
• Pinecrest Estates
• Port Coquitlam
• South Langley Township
• Squamish
• Whalley
• West Abbotsford
• West Newton

People living in these communities must register for their vaccine appointments using the Province’s Get Vaccinated registration and booking tool and will be invited to book an appointment on the same day they register. The fastest way to register and book is online at: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/covid-19/vaccine/register

People can confirm whether they live in a high-transmission neighbourhood prioritized for immunization by entering their postal code: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/covid-19/vaccine/neighbourhood

Only those with eligible postal codes will be able to receive a vaccine through the high-transmission neighbourhood program.

Vancouver Coastal Health – no facilities

Fraser Health – one facility

• Dufferin Care Centre (second occurrence)

Northern Health – one facility

• Acropolis Manor (second occurrence)

Interior Health – four facilities

• Cottonwoods Care Centre
• Orchard Haven
• Sandalwood Retirement Resort
• Spring Valley Care Centre

Island Health – two facilities

• Craigdarroch Care Home
• Mount St. Mary

Acute-care facilities:

• Abbotsford Regional Hospital
• Dawson Creek and District Hospital
• Prince Rupert Regional Hospital
• Surrey Memorial Hospital