PRINCE GEORGE – 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 that 77.7% of all adults in B.C. and 76.2% of those 12 and older have now received their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. In total, 4,511,923 doses of Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in B.C., 1,001,192 of which are second doses.

“There have been 56 new cases of COVID-19, for a total of 147,187 cases in British Columbia.

“Of the new cases, 12 are in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, 18 are in the Fraser Health region, three are in the Island Health region, 15 are in the Interior Health region, seven are in the Northern Health region and one is a person who resides outside of Canada.

“There are currently 1,150 active cases of COVID-19 in the province, and a further 144,263 people who tested positive have recovered. Of the active cases, 111 individuals are currently hospitalized, 41 of whom are in intensive care. The remaining people with COVID-19 are recovering at home in self-isolation.

“The outbreak at Heritage Manor (Northern Health) is now over.

“There have been no new COVID-19 related deaths, for a total of 1,743 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.

“As we move through Step 2 of BC’s Restart plan, we are progressing well and have seen a sustained drop in hospitalizations, new cases and clusters in our communities. This gives us a strong foundation for the summer ahead – when COVID-19 will be in the background, instead of front and centre for all of us.

“Our progress on dose one immunizations is steady, and dose two immunizations are now rapidly accelerating. The virus is still in our communities, so to make this a summer we can all enjoy, we want as many people as possible fully immunized. Vaccines really are our ticket to travel.

“Start your summer off right: ensure your kids are vaccinated, encourage and help your family members near and far to do the same and book your second appointment as soon as you are eligible.”

Learn More:

The latest vaccine information:

For vaccine information, visit the BCCDC dashboard: http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/data
Or: www.bccdc.ca

For information on getting your second dose: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/covid-19/vaccine/dose-2

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

BC’s Restart plan:

For the June 14, 2021, announcement on Step 2 of BC’s Restart plan, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2021PREM0041-001155

Epidemiology and modelling:

For the June 10, 2021, modelling presentation, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/files/6-10_PHO_presentation.pdf

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 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.

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

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.

Two backgrounders follow.

Age-based program

Anyone 12 years or older may now register and book their Dose 1 appointment. Anyone who has received an invitation to book their second dose can also book their appointment.

Book online: https://gov.bc.ca/getvaccinated  
Or call 1 833 838-2323 (between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Pacific time).

First responder and worker program

Health authorities are contacting workplaces to arrange for workers to be vaccinated with their first and second doses.

AstraZeneca pharmacy program

For people who received their first dose at their local pharmacy, the pharmacy will contact them to book their Dose 2 appointment once they are eligible. People are asked not to call as phone appointments will not be accepted.

Information on Dose 2: http://www.bccdc.ca/Health-Info-Site/Documents/COVID-19_vaccine/AstraZeneca_2ndDose.pdf

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

For people who would prefer an mRNA vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna) instead, once they are eligible, they can book online or by phone at one of the age-based mass clinics.

Independent and assisted living, long-term care homes, seniors’ rental buildings:

Vancouver Coastal Health – no facilities

Fraser Health – one facility

• Glenwood Seniors Community (second occurrence)

Northern Health – one facility

• Rotary Manor Dawson Creek

Interior Health – no facilities

Island Health – no facilities

Acute-care facilities:

Eagle Ridge Hospital