THE LATEST:
- On Tuesday, B.C. health officials confirmed 446 new cases of COVID-19 in the province.
- The provincial death toll from COVID-19 reached 1,019, as nine more deaths were recorded.
- There are 368 people in B.C. hospitals, including 72 in intensive care.
- There are 5,045 active cases in the province.
- As of Tuesday, 62,294 people had received a COVID-19 vaccine dose in B.C.
- Island Health is delivering doses of the Moderna vaccine to the Cowichan Tribes, whose older members are expected to receive their first shots on Wednesday.
B.C. health officials have confirmed 446 cases of COVID-19 in the province over the past 24 hours, as the provincial death toll reached 1,019.
Nine more people have died of COVID-19.
There are currently 5,045 active cases of the virus in the province. There are 368 people in hospital, 72 of whom are in critical care.
On Monday, Interior Health confirmed an outbreak in the Canim Lake community east of 100 Mile House. So far, 32 cases of COVID-19 have been linked to the First Nations community where, according to the 2016 census, 228 people live.
There are currently 50 active outbreaks at long-term care homes in the province as of Monday and on Tuesday the province announced one new health-care facility outbreak at Mount St. Joseph’s Hospital in Vancouver.
The next provincial COVID-19 update is scheduled for 3 p.m. PT on Thursday.
B.C.’s health restrictions have been extended until at least Feb. 5 at midnight.
The current orders include a ban on gatherings with people outside of one’s immediate household. The province’s non-essential travel advisory remains in place, including travel into and out of B.C., and between regions.
Cowichan Tribes vaccinations
Doses of a vaccine are expected to arrive on Cowichan Tribes territory on Vancouver Island on Wednesday and members over 65 will receive their first shot as soon as possible, according to the Island Health Authority.
The First Nation has seen case numbers more than triple in under a week and all residents are under a shelter-in-place order until Jan. 22.
According to Island Health, the entire population of the Snuneymuxw First Nation, also located in the mid-Island region, was recently vaccinated after experiencing a surge in cases.
READ MORE:
- Nineteen more COVID-19 cases linked to the Big White Ski Resort near Kelowna, B.C., were confirmed by Interior Health on Tuesday, bringing the total to 162 cases.
- This Prince George care home resident tested positive for COVID-19 one day before her scheduled vaccination.
- The BC Coroners Service has confirmed that at least one refrigerated morgue truck has been deployed to a site in the Fraser Health Authority region, where more than half of the province’s COVID-19 deaths have occurred since the beginning of the pandemic.
- A COVID-19 outbreak at St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver has spread to three units.
- This online calculator estimates when you’ll receive your COVID-19 vaccine.
What’s happening elsewhere in Canada
As of 8 p.m. PT on Tuesday, Canada had recorded more than 674,473 cases and 17,233 deaths.
The number of active cases stood at 80,793.
What are the symptoms of COVID-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 or flu, even if they’re mild. People with severe difficulty breathing, severe chest pain, difficulty waking up or other extreme symptoms should call 911.
What can I do to protect 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 of evolving travel advisories to different regions.
More detailed information on the outbreak is available on the federal government’s website.
