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 411 new cases, including five epi-linked cases, for a total of 140,075 cases in British Columbia.

“There are 4,890 active cases of COVID-19 in the province. A further 133,383 people who tested positive have recovered.

“Of the active cases, 360 individuals are currently hospitalized with COVID-19, 127 of whom are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation.

“Since we last reported, we have had 37 new cases of COVID-19 in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, 285 new cases in the Fraser Health region, 12 in the Island Health region, 69 in the Interior Health region, eight in the Northern Health region and no new cases of people who reside outside of Canada.

“There have been two new COVID-19 related deaths, for a total of 1,650 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.

“We have one new health-care facility outbreak at Cherington Place (Fraser Health).

“2,566,936 doses of Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in B.C., 131,837 of which are second doses.

“We invite everyone in B.C. who is 18 or older to join our team – the more than 2.5 million strong who have received their vaccine or have booked their appointment for the coming days. This is the team that is making a difference in B.C.’s pandemic response.

“The more people who get vaccinated, the safer we all are, which is why we want to break the record books on immunizations in our province. Whether you are in northern B.C., the Okanagan, Vancouver Island or the Tri-Cities, the simple step of getting immunized will allow us to start to slowly ease the restrictions we have in place.

“First doses are well underway and second doses will be coming soon. With a large, steady vaccine supply and an assurance that most people have their first dose, we will be able to look at how we may be able to accelerate delivery of second doses. We’re monitoring this closely and will have more to share in early June.

“As we stay small and stay local this coming long weekend, let’s also make registering, booking or getting vaccinated part of our weekend plans. Together, through our efforts, we will put this pandemic behind us.”

Learn More:

To see the May 13, 2021, PowerPoint presentation, visit: http://news.gov.bc.ca/files/20210513_PHO-Presentation.pdf

To view the latest registration numbers by age, visit: http://news.gov.bc.ca/files/5-10-21_vaccine_registration.pdf

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 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 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, 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

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

Two backgrounders follow.

Age-based program

Anyone 18 years or older may now register and book their appointment online at: https://gov.bc.ca/getvaccinated
Or by calling 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. This program is continuing to be phased in, focusing on communities that are highest risk.

AstraZeneca pharmacy program

All remaining AstraZeneca vaccine is being held for dose-two booster immunizations. Participating pharmacies are listed on the BC Pharmacy Association website: https://www.bcpharmacy.ca/resource-centre/covid-19/vaccination-locations

Community drop-in clinics

Fraser Health will be hosting four community clinics for week of May 17-23. 4,000 doses are available (1,000 each day) on a first-come, first-served basis. Wristbands will be provided to reserve spots. The clinic schedule is:

Monday, May 17 and Tuesday, May 18
Bear Creek Park
13750 88 Ave.
8 a.m. - 7 p.m. (or until 1,000 vaccine doses are administered each day)

Saturday, May 22 and Sunday, May 23
Surrey Sport and Leisure
16555 Fraser Hwy, #100
8 a.m. - 7 p.m. (or until 1,000 vaccine doses are administered each day)

High-transmission communities

Anyone 18 and older in the community health service areas outlined below can also be vaccinated at specific clinics. People living in these communities must register for their vaccine appointments using the 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. The service areas include:

Fraser Health – 19 communities

• Abbotsford Rural
• Burnaby Southeast
• Burnaby Southwest
• Central Abbotsford
• Cloverdale
• East Abbotsford
• East Newton
• Fleetwood
• Guildford
• North Delta
• North Surrey
• Panorama
• Port Coquitlam
• South Langley Township
• South Mission
• West Abbotsford
• West Newton
• Whalley
• Willoughby

Interior Health – three communities

• Golden
• Rutland
• Summerland

Northern Health – four communities

• Dawson Creek
• Fort Nelson Population Centre
• Fort St. John
• Fort St. James North

Vancouver Coastal Health – 12 communities

• Britannia Beach
• Cedar Cottage
• D'arcy
• Grandview-Woodland
• Hastings-Sunrise
• Kensington
• Killarney
• Pinecrest Estates
• Renfrew-Collingwood
• Squamish
• Sunset
• Victoria-Fraserview

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

Vancouver Coastal Health – no facilities

 Fraser Health – one facility

• Cherington Place (second occurrence)

Northern Health – no facilities 

Interior Health – three facilities

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

Island Health – no facilities

Acute-care facilities:

• Dawson Creek and District Hospital
• Lions Gate Hospital