VICTORIA (NEWS 1130) — Provincial health officials are reporting 737 new cases of COVID-19 Friday — the highest number in a single day since Jan. 7 — while further clarifying why some workers are being prioritized for the vaccine.
Two more people have died from the virus in B.C. bringing the total number of lives lost to 1,421, according to a statement from Health Minister Adrian Dix and Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry.
Fraser Health continues to see a high number of cases, with 426 new infections in that region. In Vancouver Coastal, there are 163 people who have tested positive. An additional 68 cases of variants of concern have been confirmed, bringing the provincial total to 1,200. While 149 of those cases are active, the rest have recovered.
BC #covid19 Mar 19
737 new- 90786 total
2 death-1421
Recovered 84078
VCH(21115)+163
FH(52640)+426
Int(7934)+33
Island(2835)+32
North(5361)+82
NonRes +1
Active(4941)5207
Monitor(9412)9412
Hosp/icu(286/85)292/85
LTC/accute(6/8)5/8
Variant 68 new, 149 active#bcpoli @news1130— LizaYuzda (@LizaYuzda) March 19, 2021
Dix and Henry also addressed concerns being raised by bus drivers, HandyDART drivers, and others who work with the public about who is being prioritized in the parallel vaccine program targeting frontline workers.
Those workers are being immunized with the AstraZeneca/SII vaccine in a program that is separate from the age-based roll out.
“The selection of the front-line workers for part two of this program is based on the known risk of transmission, as well as the nature and size of the workplace environment,” the statement says.
“For those who have been at work throughout the pandemic, supporting so many others, please know your efforts are recognized and valued. Everyone is important and everyone will have their turn.”
They also stress that workplace safety plans and personal measures to prevent the spread of the virus must still be followed even among those who have been vaccinated.
“We are working with all of the supply we have available to maximize our protection and we are using every last drop. We also must focus on the individual actions that we need now more than ever to keep each other and our families and communities safe,” the statement says.
There have been no additional healthcare facility outbreaks, and the outbreak at Holmberg House Hospice in Abbotsford has been declared over.
Dix and Henry also provided an update on the vaccine rollout, saying 490,022 doses have been administered so far, 87,139 of which are second doses.
The next phase for age-based booking of vaccine appointments starts Saturday, with people 79 and older and Indigenous peoples over 55 eligible to book an appointment. Eligible workers are being reminded not to call their local health authority for appointments, those vaccines will be arranged by employers.
